Pages 317-325, Language: EnglishCairns, Brian E. / Wang, Kelun / Hu, James W. / Sessle, Barry J. / Arendt-Nielsen, Lars / Svensson, PeterAims: To compare jaw-stretch reflex responses in male and female subjects and to determine whether injection of glutamate into the masseter muscle facilitates these responses in both sexes.
Methods: Jaw-stretch reflex responses were evoked with a muscle stretcher, and pain intensity was scored by 11 men and 13 women before and after the injection of glutamate (1.0 mol/L, 0.2 ml) into the masseter muscle. The subjects rated glutumate-evoked pain intensity on a visual analog scale.
Results: Baseline jaw-stretch reflex responses were larger and glutamate injections into the masseter muscle were significantly more painful in women than in men, however, glutamate significantly facilitated jaw-stretch reflex responses in men but not in women.
Conclusion: These results suggest that there is a significant sex-related difference in human jaw-stretch reflex responses and their modulation by painful stimuli. Since one possible function of facilitated jaw-stretch reflex responses during jaw muscle pain may be to reduce jaw mobility and thus protect against further exacerbation of an existing injury, the finding of a sex-related difference in modulation of jaw-stretch reflex responses may prove to be important in clarifying why the prevalence of temporomandibular disorders is greater in women than in men.
Keywords: glutamate, jaw-stretch reflex, masticatory muscle, sex differences, trigeminal pain mechanisms
