The effect of intra-articular injections of sodium hyaluronate on temporomandibular joint arthrosis

We investigated arachidonic acid (AA) metabolites in synovial fluid of 18 patients with temporomandibular joint (TMJ) arthrosis. AA metabolites were separated and quantified by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC).Among 18 patients, 15 were treated by injections of sodium hyaluronate (SH) into the superior joint compartment of the TMJ. We assessed the effect of treatment clinical symptoms and the generation of AA metabolites.In addition, we measured the leukotrienes (LTs) produced by polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNs) obtained from peripheral blood and studied the effect of SH.The following results were obtained:1. Clinical symptoms of TMJ arthrosis improved after intra-articular injections of SH.2. As clinical symptoms improved, AA metabolites decreased.3. SH tended to inhibit the generation of LTs produced by stimulated PMNs.4. This study suggests that TMJ arthrosis is associated with inflammation.