The effect of potassium diclofenac and dexamethasone on MMP-1 gene transcript levels during experimental tooth movement in rats.

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this study was to analyze MMP-1 transcript levels in periodontal tissues of rats that underwent orthodontic treatment using potassium diclofenac and dexamethasone at different stages of tooth movement.

SETTING AND SAMPLE POPULATION

The sample comprised of ninety male Wistar rats.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

A closed nickel-titanium coil spring was used to apply a force of 50 cN to move the maxillary right first molars mesially. One group received daily doses of 0.9% saline solution, the second group received daily doses of 5 mg/kg potassium diclofenac, and the third group received daily doses of 0.5 mg/kg dexamethasone. Tooth movement was observed on days 0, 1, 3, 7, and 14. MMP-1 transcript levels were evaluated by real-time polymerase chain reaction and the results were compared between groups by three-way ANOVA, with a significance level of 0.05.

RESULTS

Transcript levels increased in groups that received the coil spring treatment on all days of the experiment. MMP-1 expression was found to be decreased in groups treated with potassium diclofenac and dexamethasone compared to that in the control group, on days 1, 3, 5, and 7.

CONCLUSIONS

The application of orthodontic forces significantly increased MMP-1 transcript levels. The use of anti-inflammatory drugs may have an inhibitory effect on MMP-1 expression.