SP and CGRP in the TMJ undergone emotional stress

Objective:To observe the SP and CGRP expression in the temporomandibular joints(TMJ) of the rats undergone emotional stress and discuss the relationship between emotional stress and temporomandibular joint disorder(TMD).Methods:90 SD rats were averagely divided into 3 groups: experimental, electric foot-shock and control group. In the experimental group, the animal model of emotional stress was made.The TMJ pathology undergone emotional stress for 1, 3 and 5 weeks was observed. The SP and CGRP expression were examined with SABC immnocytochemistry and then analyzed by image analysis system. Results:The CGRP postive nerve fibers could be found in the TMJ and the image analysis showed that the number of fibers rised from the 1st week to the 3rd week and then falled down at the 5th week. There was apparent difference in the number of SP positive nerve fibers between the experimental group and control. The number of SP fibers in 0 week differed to the number at 1st week(P<0.05), but did not differ to that at the 3rd and 5th week. Conclusions:The SP and CGRP energy nerve fibers have taken part in the TMJ pathological process undergone emotional stress