Dentist № 2 (61) – 2026, pp. 8-13                                                                                                                        SCIENTIFIC PUBLICATION

Age-related features of bone-cartilage metabolism in children with temporomandibular joint pathology

D.A. Grichanyuka, Ju.I. Stepanovaa,  T.M. Yuragab, I.E. Karmachevb

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

https://doi.org/10.32993/dentist.2026.2(61).1

ABSTRACT
The aim of the study. To establish the age-related features of bone and cartilage metabolism by studying the levels of serum biomarkers in children with temporomandibular joint (TMJ) pathology.
Objects and methods. 48 preschool children with TMJ diseases were examined (1 to 3 years, n = 25; 4 to 6 years, n = 23). The comparison group consisted of 53 children of health groups I-II (from 1 to 3 years old, n = 26; from 4 to 6 years old, n = 27). It was evaluated by enzyme immunoassay the serum content of terminal propeptides of procollagen 1 type of bone-cartilage matrix (P1CP, P1NP), bone alkaline phosphatase (BALP), osteocalcin, aggrecan, matrix metalloproteinase 2 and 9 (MMR-2, MMP-9); the concentration of calcium and phosphorus ions was evaluated spectrophotometrically.
Results and discussion. A study of osteochondrogenesis markers in children with TMJ pathology was conducted in comparison with a group of healthy children. Correlation analysis has revealed a strong direct relationship between the levels of aggrecan and MMR-9 ‒ at the age of 1-3 years r = 0.98 (p = 0.000), 4-6 years r = 0.99 (p = 0.000), which indicates a close interaction of bone and cartilage tissue degradation in TMJ pathology at children.
Conclusion.  It was found that in children with an excess of MMR-9 and a low level of P1NP/P1CP index, overexpression of aggrecan, osteocalcin and BALP in blood serum was observed with hypercalcemia development. A strong direct correlation between aggrecan and MMR-9 levels was established, which indicates the destruction of the cartilage matrix and a high intensity of degenerative-dystrophic processes in TMJ pathology at children.

Keywords: preschool children, temporomandibular joint pathology, osteochondrogenesis markers

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Correspondence to:  E-mail: grichanyukda@bsmu.by