Fig. 2

Changed mRNA expression in condylar cartilage of rats with TMJ OA induced by UAC stimulation. A mRNA expression of Col2a1 and Aggrecan was significantly decreased in the TMJs of UAC rats (n = 6). B mRNA expression of Mmp13, Runx2, and Osteocalcin was significantly increased in the TMJs of UAC rats (n = 6). Control, control group; UAC, unilateral anterior crossbite group; 4w, 4 weeks; 8w, 8 weeks; 12w, 12 weeks. All data are presented as means ± SD. The data of compared groups were from the populations of Gaussian distribution and consistent with homogeneity of variance. Comparisons between the control and UAC groups of the same timepoint were performed by Student’s t test. **P < 0.01, compared with the age-matched control group