No abstract

Many different factors can lead to inflammatory changes within temporomandibular joint tissues. This investigation examined if the expression of TNF-alpha and its receptors was altered in TMJ tissues during inflammation. Adult male rats were injected bilaterally with complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA) into the TMJ or served as uninjected controls and were killed two days after CFA treatment. TMJ tissues were removed, and expression of TNF-alpha and its receptors was examined via gene microarray analysis, RT-PCR, Western blot, and ELISA. Gene microarray analysis provided evidence for changes in gene expression, notably that TNF-alpha and TNF-R1, but not TNF-R2, were significantly elevated in CFA-treated TMJ tissues. However, protein levels of TNF-alpha, TNF-R1, and TNF-R2 were all significantly increased in CFA-treated TMJ tissues. These results indicate that the pro-inflammatory cytokine TNF-alpha may play a significant role in the onset of inflammatory conditions associated with adjuvant-induced arthritis of the TMJ.

Five experiments involving 90 newborn colostrum-deprived pigs were conducted in an attempt to develop a method of rearing applicable in a non-isolated environment. Immune globulins, prepared by ammonium sulphate fractionation of porcine serum, and comprised of a mixture of approximately 75 per cent γ-globulin and 25 per cent β-globulin, were administered orally or parenterally in varying amounts and for varying periods of time. In two experiments porcine albumin, in serum or in a semi-purified solution, was provided in addition to the immune globulins. The distribution of serum proteins in the pigs was studied from birth to 12 weeks of age by paper strip electrophoresis.Parenteral administration of immune globulins did not provide an effective passive immunity, nor did oral administration for 1 day post-partum. A marked improvement in survival occurred when oral administration was continued for 5 days, and it was further found that this treatment provided apparently complete protection against infection during the 5-day period of administration. Albumin appeared to further improve survival.These results, together with the relatively poor survival obtained with positive control pigs (nursed 24 hours) suggested a continuing need for a supply of immune globulins in the lumen of the intestinal tract. Presumably these globulins were active as coproantibodies.The percentage survival in pigs weighing 3 pounds or more at birth was substantially higher than in smaller pigs. Mortality in these experiments was usually attributable to colibacillosis.Serum immune globulin levels at 2 days of age in the artificially reared pigs were elevated in proportion to the amount of globulins given. The effect of albumin was to create a serum protein pattern resembling that of suckled pigs. A marked decline in γ-globulin levels from 2 days to approximately 6 weeks was observed.