Dentist № 1 (60) – 2026, pp. 20-24                                                                                                                        MAXILLOFACIAL SURGERY

A new experimental model of osteoarthritis of the temporomandibular joint and its verification

I.O. Pohodenko-Chudakovaa, M.I. Kratb,  O.A. Yudinaс, L.V. Butkod

aMD, PhD, DMSci, Professor, Belarusian State Medical University, Minsk, Belarus
bBelarusian State Medical University, Minsk, Belarus
cMD, PhD, Associate Professor, Belarusian State Medical University, Minsk, Belarus
dPhD, Belarusian State Medical University, Minsk, Belarus

https://doi.org/10.32993/dentist.2026.1(60).2

ABSTRACT
The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is one of the most significant elements of the maxillofacial system, as it performs several fundamental bodily functions, namely: respiratory, trophic, speech-forming, and psychological
The aim of the study. To develop a rational experimental model of TMJ osteoarthritis and to carry out its pathohistological verification.
Objects and methods. Twenty male Chinchilla rabbits were selected to develop an experimental model of TMJ osteoarthritis. The animals were withdrawn from the study using an overdose of sodium thiopental in accordance with the observation periods: at week 6 (days 40–42), 7 animals were removed from the experimental model; at week 8 (days 54–56), 7 animals; and at week 9 (days 61–63), 6 animals. The prepared microspecimens were examined using a light microscope. The conclusion regarding the development of TMJ osteoarthritis was made on the basis of cone-beam computed tomography, ultrasound examination, and pathohistological analysis.
Results and discussion. According to the data of pathohistological analysis, 95 % of the experimental animals revealed: destruction of nuclei in chondrocytes of the articular cartilage, lysis of the cytoplasm of cartilage cells and the transformation of the latter into vesicular structures, and apoptosis of articular cartilage cells. In parallel with the changes in cartilage cells, connective tissue cells developed, which in 100 % of cases indicated the initial stage of sclerosing osteoarthritis.
Conclusion.  The results of the study confirm that the aim of the study has been achieved — a new experimental model of osteoarthritis has been created and is legitimate and rational.

Keywords: experiment, temporomandibular joint, osteoarthritis, experimental model, verification of diagnosis, pathohistological studies

References

  1. Anokhina A.V., Yakhin K.K., Sayfullina A.R., Silantyeva E.N., Abzalova S.L. O roli psihologicheskih faktorov v razvitii sindroma bolevoj disfunkcii visochno-nizhnecheljustnogo sustava [On the role of psychological disorders in the development of the syndrome of pain dysfunction of the temporomandibular joint]. Stomatologiya. – 2021, vol. 100, no 3, pp. 115-119. DOI:10.17116/stomat2021100031115
  2. Arsenova I.A., Pohodenko-Chudakova I.O., Lar’kina M.A. Rol’ in”ekcij v triggernye tochki pri korrekcii miofascial’nogo bolevogo sindroma cheljustno-licevoj oblasti [Trigger point Injection therapy in the management of myofascial pain syndrome]. Surgical News. – Novosti Khirurgii. 2020, vol. 28, no 5, pp. 694-701. DOI: 10.18484/2305-0047.2020.6.694
  3. AstanovM.,RuzievM.I. Rasprostranennost’, faktory riska i patogeneticheskie mehanizmy disfunkcii visochno-nizhnecheljustnogo sustava [Prevalence,riskfactorsandpathogeneticmechanisms of temporomandibularjointdysfunction].IQROJurnali.2023, vol. 3, no 2, pp. 30-36. DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.7996754
  4. Basok Yu.B., Grigoriev A.M., Krisanova L.A., Vakhrushev I.V., Tsvetkova A.V., Gryadunova A.A., Yarygin K.N., Sevastianov V.I. Sravnitel’noe issledovanie processa hondrogennoj differencirovki mezenhimal’nyh stromal’nyh kletok, vydelennyh iz raznyh istochnikov [The comparative study of chondrogenic differentiation of mesenchymal stromal cells allocated from different sources]. Vestnik transplantologii i iskusstvennyh organov. – Russian Journal of Transplantology and Artificial Organs. 2019, vol. 21, no 1, pp. 101-112. DOI: 10.15825/1995-1191-2019-1-101-112
  5. Gandylyan K.S., Lebedev P.R., Kolesnichenko P.D., Gabbasova I.V., Kononenko V.I., Sletova V.A., Osmaev U.M., Dedikov D.N., Sletov A.A. Dinamika povedencheskih reakcij i regeneracii kostnyh struktur vsledstvie ih povrezhdenij u melkih zhivotnyh [Dunamics of behavioral reactions and regeneration of bone structures in small animals following an injury]. Aktual’nye problemy mediciny. ‒ Challenges in Modern Medicine. 2025, vol. 48, no 3, pp. 332-346. DOI: 10.52575/2687-0940-2025-48-3-332-346
  6. Golovatenko O.V., Shevkunova N.A., Khusainov A.I. Analiz vstrechaemosti priznakov disfunkcional’nyh sostojanij visochno-nizhnecheljustnogo sustava u lic molodogo vozrasta [An analisis of the occurrence of signs of temporomandibular disorders in young people]. Mezhdunarodnyj nauchno-issledovatel’skij zhurnal. – International research Journal. 2021, vol. 113, no 11. Available at: https://research-journal.org/archive/11-113-2021-november/analiz-vstrechaemosti-priznakov-disfunkcionalnyx-sostoyanij-visochno-nizhnechelyustnogo-sustava-u-lic-molodogo-vozrasta, (accessed 29.10.2025). DOI: 10.23670/IRJ.2021.113.11.060
  7. Gorycheva E.V., Kalmin O.V., Koretskaya E.A. Morfologija visochno-nizhnecheljustnogo sustava [Morphology of the temporomandibular joint]. Izvestiya vysshih uchebnyh zavedenij. Povolzhskij region. Medicinskie nauki. ‒ University Proceedings. Volga Region. Medical Sciences. 2023, no 1, pp. 80-95. DOI: 10.21685/2072-3032-2023-1-8
  8. Engalycheva G.N., Syubaev R.D. Vybor relevantnyh vidov zhivotnyh dlja provedenija doklinicheskih issledovanij bezopasnosti lekarstvennyh sredstv: obzor [Relevant species selection for preclinical safety studies of medicines: a review]. Bezopasnost’ i risk farmakoterapii. ‒ Safaty and Risk of Pharmacotherapy. 2025, vol. 13, no 1, pp. 31-43. DOI: 10.30895/2312-7821-2025-460
  9. Koval’ov G.A., Vuedenskyy B.P., Sandomirskiy B.P. Tehnologija modelirovanija osteoartroza krupnyh sustavov [Technology of modeling of large joints osteoarthrosis]. Biotekhnologiya. – 2010, vol. 3, no 4, pp. 37-43.
  10. Karmachev I.E., Grichanuk D.A., Pankratov A.O., Stepanova J.I., Yuraga T.M. Jeksperimental’noe modelirovanie osteoartroza visochno-nizhnecheljustnogo sustava [Exprimental modelling of temporomandibular joint osteoarthrosis]. Medicinskij zhurnal. ‒ Medical Journal. 2025, no 3, pp. 48‒54. DOI: 10.51922/1818-426X.2025.3.48
  11. Krat M. I., Pohoden’ko-CHudakova I. O. Patent Respubliki Belarus’ № 24230. Sposob modelirovaniya osteoartroza visochno-nizhnechelyustnogo sustava u eksperimental’nogo zhivotnogo: 25.01.2023 [Patent of the Republic of Belarus No. 24230. Method for modeling osteoarthrosis of the temporomandibular joint in an experimental animal: 25.01.2023]. Aficyjny byuleten’. Vynahodstva, karysnyya madeli, pramyslovyya ў ‒ Official Bulletin. Findings, findings, and designs. 2024, no 2.
  12. Mokhov E.M., Kadykov V.A., Morozov A.M., Eliseev M.A., Grosheva A.A., Zenin T.T., Peltikhina O.V. O vozmozhnosti ispol’zovanija laboratornyh zhivotnyh v jeksperimental’noj hirurgii [About the possibility of using laboratory animals in exsperimental surgery]. Hirurgicheskaya praktika. ‒ Surgical Practice. 2018, vol. 34, no 2, pp. 33-38. DOI: 10.17238/issn2223-2427.2018.2.33-38
  13. Respublikanskie sanitarnye normy, pravila i gigienicheskie normativy. Ustrojstvo, oborudovanie i soderzhanie eksperimental’no-biologicheskih klinik (vivariev) [Republican Sanitary Norms, Rules, and Hygienic Standards. Design, Equipment, and Maintenance of Experimental Biological Clinics (Vivariums)]. Sanitarnye pravila i normy 2.1.2.12-18-2006. Minsk: Ministerstvo zdravoohraneniya Respubliki Belarus’. ‒ Sanitary Rules and Norms 2.1.2.12-18-2006. Minsk: Ministry of Health of the Republic of Belarus. 2006.
  14. Chertanova D.R. Prevalence of signs and symptoms of temporomandibular disorders in the adult population. International Research Conference on Technology, Science, Engineering and Management. Seattle. Novgorod.Publishing house “ProfessionalScience”.2023, pp. 13‒21. DOI: 10.54092/9781447871415_13
  15. ShcheglakovaYu.,PisarevskyYu.L.,BabichevYu.I. Sposob modelirovanija osteoartroza visochno-nizhnecheljustnogo sustava [A method for modelingosteoarthritis of the temporomandibularjoint]. Patent RU 2463669 C2. Data of registration: 28.09.2010. https://patents.google.com/patent/RU2463669C2/ru
  16. Shchelkunova E.I., Voropaeva A.A., Rusova T.V., Shtopis J.V. Primenenie jeksperimental’nogo modelirovanija pri izuchenii patogeneza osteoartroza (obzor literatury) [The application of experimental modeling to the study of the osteoarthrosis pathogenesis (review)]. Sibirskij nauchnyj medicinskij zhurnal. ‒ Siberia Scientific Medical Journal. 2019, vol. 39, no 2, pp. 27-39. DOI: 10.15372/SSMJ20190203
  17. Farook H., Dudley J. Understanding occlusion and temporomandibular joint function using deep learning and predictive modeling. Clin. Exp. Dent. Res. 2024, Vol. 10, no 6, p. e70028. DOI: 10.1002/cre2.70028
  18. Fujisawa T. [et al.] A repetitive, steady mouth opening induced an osteoarthritis-like lesion in the rabbit temporomandibular joint. J. Dent. Res. 2003, Vol. 82, no 9, pp. 731‒735. DOI: 10.1177/154405910308200914
  19. Liu, Steinkeler A. Epidemiology, diagnosis, and treatment of temporomandibular disorders. Dent. Clin. North. Am. 2013, Vol. 57, no 3, pp. 465‒479. DOI: 10.1016/j.cden.2013.04.006
  20. Liu X.-W. [et al.] Insulin-like growth factor-1 suspended in hyaluronan improves cartilage and subchondral cancellous bone repair in osteoarthritis of temporomandibular joint. Int. J. Oral Maxillofac. Surg. 2011, Vol. 40, no 2, pp. 184‒190. DOI: 10.1016/j.ijom.2010.10.003
  21. Pascu [et al.] Occlusion and temporomandibular disorders: a scoping review. Medicina (Kaunas). 2025, Vol. 61, no 5, p. 791. DOI: 10.3390/medicina61050791
  22. Turner P.V. [et al.] Administration of substances to laboratory animals routes of administration and factors to consider. J. Am. Assoc. Lab. Anim. Sci. 2011, Vol. 50, no 5, pp. 600‒613.

Correspondence to:  E-mail: ip-c@yandex.ru