Effects of growth hormone and functional appliance on mandibular growth in an adolescent rat model.

OBJECTIVES

To investigate the individual and synergistic effects of growth hormone (GH) and functional appliance (FA) on mandibular growth in an adolescent rat model.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Forty adolescent (6-week-old) female Wistar rats were randomly divided into four groups (10 rats in each group). The control group received a sham treatment (intra-abdominal injection of phosphate-buffered saline), the GH group received an intra-abdominal injection of recombinant human growth hormone, the FA group was treated with a mandibular advancement device, and the GH+FA group received both the GH and FA treatments. The amount of mandibular growth in each group was measured quantitatively using cone-bean computed tomography. The growth of condylar cartilage and expression of matrix metalloproteinases-1 and -13 (MMP-1 and MMP-13) and type II and X collagen (Col II and Col X) were assessed using histological staining and immunostaining techniques.

RESULTS

After 4 weeks, there was significant mandibular growth in the FA group compared with the control group ( P < .05). The GH+FA group had significantly greater mandibular length, thickness of condylar cartilage, and expression of MMP-1, MMP-13, Col II, and Col X in the cartilage than the other groups ( P < .05). The GH+FA group and GH group had significantly greater weight than the FA and control groups ( P < .05).

CONCLUSIONS

The FA as well as GH+FA stimulated mandibular growth in adolescent rats.