Biochemical analysis of the porcine temporomandibular joint disc

Tissue engineering can be a boon in treating lesions of the disc in the temporomandibular joint (TMJ). Unfortunately, little is known about its biochemical content, so we analysed the discs of six slaughtered pigs. We measured the content and distribution of total DNA, glycosaminoglycan, and collagen. The mean (S.D.) content of DNA was 0.14% (0.08%) of the dry weight, of glycosaminoglycan 0.96% (0.39%), and of collagen 68.2% (14.5%). There were no significant differences from top to bottom, but from front to back the smallest concentration of glycosaminoglycan was in the posterior band, and the highest concentration of collagen was in the intermediate zone. The concentrations of DNA and glycosaminoglycan were higher in the medial than in the lateral area of the disc.