| Objective: To observe the effects of He-Ne laser on the expression of BMP-2 in degenerated temporomandibular joint of rabbits, explore its protective role and mechanism in relieving temporomandibular joint degeneration and provide the basis for clinical application of He-Ne laser in the treatment of temporomandibular joint osteoarthritis. Methods: Forty New Zealand white rabbits were randomly divided into 4 groups: normal group, sham model group, model group and treatment group, 10 in each group. The specimens were harvested at 1st, and 11th day after modeling. The animal model of temporomandibular joint disease was established by the methods of ChangJia. He-Ne laser was rayed at Jiache, Shangguan, Xiaguan, Tinggong, Yifeng points for 10 days in the treatment group. In the sham model group, the joint capsule was incised and sutured. The animals were killed at 1st, and 11th day and the protein expression of BMP-2 in temporomandibular joints was examined by Western blotting. Results: BMP-2 protein expression had no statistically significant difference between different time points in the normal group and the sham model group, but that was up-regulated in the treatment group after He-Ne laser treatment for 10 days. Conclusions: He-Ne laser on acupoints may protect the degenerated temporomandibular joint through up-regulating the expression of BMP-2. |
