RESUMO
OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to determine whether cortical punching stimulates the expression of matrix metalloproteinase-1, -8, and -13 in orthodontic tooth movement in rats. METHODS: A total of 32 male sprague-dawley rats at 15 weeks old were divided into two groups of 16 rats each, to form the tooth movement with cortical punching (TMC) group and tooth movement only (TM) group. A total of 20 gm of orthodontic force was applied to rat incisors to cause experimental tooth movement. Cortical punching was performed on the palatal side near the central incisor with a 1.0 mm width microscrew in the TMC group. The duration of tooth movement was 1, 4, 7, and 14 days. RESULTS: Measurements of the mRNA expression were selected as the means to determine the identification of expression of MMP-1, -8, and -13. In the TMC group, the expression of collagen type I was greater than that of the TM group from day 4 to day 14. Expression of TIMP-1 in the TM group was greater than that of the TMC group in the pressure side of PDL and alveolar bone cell at day 4. In the TMC group, TIMP-1 was expressed at the osteoclast, but not at the tooth surface of the TM group at day 14. Maximum induction of the mRNA of MMP-1 was observed on day 4 in the TMC group, but it was observed on day 7 in the TM group. MMP-8 mRNA of the TMC group was twice greater than that of the TM group at 4 days. In the TMC group, maximum induction of MMP-13 mRNA was observed on day 1. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggested that cortical punching can stimulate remodeling of PDL and alveolar bone connective tissues during experimental orthodontic tooth movement in rats.