This study investigated the effects of aging on the articular cartilage of the mandible. Wistar rats were divided in two groups (n = 10/per group): 3-months-old group (young group); and 13-months-old group (aged group). After euthanasia, the head of the mandible was collected and stained with hematoxylin and eosin (HE) to evaluate the thickness of the articular layer and cartilage. Sections stained with Picrosirius red and Safranin O were used to evaluate the collagen and proteoglycans deposition, respectively. First, aging has decreased the articular layer thickness. Second, the results suggest a decrease of chondrocytes followed by an increase of the matrix to maintain the mandible homeostasis. Finally, both collagen and proteoglycans increased with aging. Aging displayed important effects to the mandible of aged rats.

中文翻译：

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大鼠下颌骨软骨的年龄相关变化。

这项研究调查了老化对下颌骨软骨的影响。Wistar大鼠分成两组（每组n ＝ 10）：3个月龄组（年轻组）；和3个月龄组（年轻组）。和13个月大的组（老年组）。安乐死后，收集下颌骨的头部并用苏木精和曙红（HE）染色以评估关节层和软骨的厚度。用Picrosirius红和Safranin O染色的切片分别用于评估胶原蛋白和蛋白聚糖的沉积。首先，老化降低了关节层的厚度。其次，结果表明软骨细胞减少，然后基质增加以维持下颌稳态。最后，胶原蛋白和蛋白聚糖都随着衰老而增加。衰老对老年大鼠的下颌骨有重要影响。