Keywords caffeic acid phenethyl ester - experimental tooth movement - fibroblast growth factor-2 - matrix metalloproteinase-9 - medicine
Introduction
Teeth can move in the alveolar bone due to the inducement of orthodontic force in the form of mechanical pressure.[1 ] The inducement of orthodontic forces will initiate cellular and biochemical activities, accompanied by the remodeling of periodontal ligaments and alveolar bone.[2 ] The application of orthodontic forces for malocclusion treatment will begin the cellular and molecular signaling and regulation in the periodontal tissue. Fibroblasts, osteoblasts, osteoclasts, and macrophages are types of cells that play an interactive role in bone remodeling.[3 ]
During orthodontic tooth movement (OTM), the changes that occur in the periodontal area depend on the force, direction, and duration of OTM.[4 ] OTM with heavy force applied compresses periodontal tissue, which causes capillary thrombosis and cell apoptosis. The heavy force will increase root resorption during OTM. Previous studies have shown a positive correlation between prolonged OTM duration and tooth root resorption.[5 ]
Alveolar bone remodeling occurs due to osteoclast and osteoblast activities. Those cells function as a coordinated mechanism to induce the resorption and apposition of the alveolar bone in response to stress and mechanical loads.[6 ] On the compression side during OTM, alveolar bone apposition occurs due to osteoblast activity. Osteoblasts play an important role in new bone formation in the tensile area of OTM.[7 ] There are molecular markers related to osteoblast differentiation and activity, such as bone alkaline phosphatase (BALP), runt-related transcription factor-2 (RUNX2), osterix, osteocalcin, osteonectin, and osteopontin.[8 ]
[9 ]
[10 ]
[11 ]
[12 ]
Growth factors also play an important role in osteoblast maturation and activity, such as vascular endothelial growth factor and fibroblast growth factor-2 (FGF-2). FGF-2 regulates bone formation and osteoblast differentiation.[6 ]
[13 ] The decrease in FGF-2 in the osteoblast will reduce osteoblast proliferation through the reduction of BALP secretion.[14 ] In the initial stage of OTM, osteoblast markers increase in the tensile side and decrease in the compression side. One of the osteoblast activity molecular markers in the tensile side during OTM is FGF-2, which increases gradually on days 3, 7, and 14.[15 ]
[16 ]
Meanwhile, in the compression side, bone resorption occurs due to osteoclast activity during OTM. Osteoclasts are multinucleated giant cells derived from hematopoietic stem cells. Macrophages, as progenitors of osteoclasts and odontoclasts that appear in the early phase of OTM, could increase bone and root resorption. Macrophages also produce proinflammatory mediators such as tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α in response to OTM.[17 ] TNF-α can induce osteoclast activation and maturation, which can induce bone resorption during OTM.[18 ] Alveolar bone resorption by osteoclasts causes demineralization of the inorganic bone matrix by acids and degradation of the organic bone matrix by cathepsin K and matrix metalloproteinase (MMP).[19 ]
The highest MMP expression was found in the compression side during OTM, which included MMP-9 that was expressed during the inflammatory response. MMP-9 expression is most abundant in the compression side involved in bone resorption.[20 ] Efforts to improve alveolar bone remodeling during OTM should be made to obtain optimal treatment results, reduce the duration of OTM, and prevent the side effects of OTM, such as orthodontic-induced root resorption (OIRR).[10 ]
[21 ]
[22 ]
Caffeic acid phenethyl ester (CAPE), which is contained in propolis, may be useful for controlling inflammation during OTM and preventing OIRR. CAPE serves as an anti-inflammatory that can inhibit cyclooxygenase.[23 ] CAPE can inhibit the release of proinflammatory cytokines and increase the production of anti-inflammatory cytokines.[24 ] CAPE administration in the tooth extraction of the animal model resulted in the accelerated healing of alveolar bone defects.[25 ] An increase in new bone formation was found after CAPE provision during the palatine suture postinducement by rapid maxillary expander device.[26 ] The polyethylene particle-induced calvaria osteolysis in murine model can significantly inhibited by CAPE administration.[27 ] The CAPE has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities that ameliorate periodontal disease through the reduction of reactive oxidative stress (ROS).[24 ] The antioxidant ability of CAPE directly or indirectly inhibits the ROS activity, resulting in osteoblast differentiation maturation and activity. Thus, CAPE may inhibit osteoclast activity.[25 ] Furthermore, the purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of CAPE provision on MMP-9 expression and osteoclast numbers in the compressed side as well as FGF-2 expression and osteoblast numbers in the tensile side during experimental tooth movement in male Wistar rats (Rattus norvegicus ) as animal model.
Materials and Methods
The Experimental Study Design and Ethical Clearance Approval
An analytical, experimental study with a posttest only control group design was performed. The sample consisted of 48 healthy male Wistar rats (R. norvegicus ), 16 to 20 weeks old with 200 to 250 g body weight (bw) assigned into six groups randomly. The groups were: K1: control group (OTM for 3 days); K2: control group (OTM for 7 days); K3: control group (OTM for 14 days); KP1: treatment group (OTM and CAPE for 3 days); KP2: treatment group (OTM and CAPE for 7 days); and KP3: treatment group (OTM and CAPE for 14 days). The sample size was determined by means of Lameshow’s sample size formula. The health ethical clearance commission, Faculty of Dental Medicine, Universitas Airlangga approved this study for experimental animal use with approval number 036/HRECC.FODM/I/2020.
Preparation and Provision of Caffeic Acid Phenethyl Ester
The phenethyl caffeate (C17 H16 O4 ) (CAPE) (cat no. 104594-70-9, Tokyo Chemical Industry Co., Ltd., Tokyo, Japan) was dissolved in distilled water at a dose of 20 mg/kg. The solution was administered once a day by means of oral gavage for 1, 7, and 14 days depending on the experimental group.
Experimental Tooth Movement in the Animal Model
All experimental animals used in this study were adapted to the new environment for 7 days to minimize stress due to the new environment. Polycarbonate cages (0.90 × 0.60 × 0.60 m) were used to maintain each rat in a controlled environment in 12-hour light/dark cycle at a steady temperature of 25°C and controlled humidity of 50%. All experimental animals were given standard pellet feed and tap ad libitum drinking water. Every day, the animal cages were examined for food and beverage consumption and fecal characteristics, and cage hygiene was maintained.
Before and after treatment, each animal’s weight was tested using a digital scale. Ketamine (100 mg/kg bw) and xylazine (5 mg/kg bw) were used to anesthetize the experimental animals to minimize animal suffering during the installation of the OTM appliance. The experimental tooth movement was induced in the animal models by means of a nickel titanium closed coil spring 8.0 mm long (American Orthodontics [AO], United States) with 10 g/mm , which was installed between the upper left first molar and upper central incisor to move the molar mesially. A 0.07 stainless steel ligature wire was used to maintain maxillary central incisive and first molar (AO, United States).[28 ] The provision of CAPE with a dose of 20 mg/kg bw was performed per orally by oral gavage.
All samples were then sacrificied according to the specified days (days 1, 7, and 14) according to their respective groups using the cervical dislocation method to minimize the animal’s suffering during the termination process. The afflicted premaxilla tissue was extracted and immersed for 4 days in 10% formalin (OneMed; Sidoarjo, Indonesia) for the fixation process. After the fixation process, the premaxilla was immersed in the 10% EDTA (OneMed) for 2 months. The sample then subjected to tissue processing, dehydrated in a graded series of ethanol, and embedded in paraffin. Sections were cut at 5 µm rotary microtome (RM2235; Leica, United States). Paraffin ribbons were flattened in a water bath at 40°C and collected into Polysine microscope slides (Thermo Scientific, United States) prior to drying at 60°C for 16 days (Sakura Heater; Tokyo, Japan).[29 ]
Immunohistochemistry Staining
Antibody monoclonal of FGF-2 (1:200 dilution) to detect FGF-2 expression and MMP-9 (1:200 dilution) to detect MMP-9 expression were used in this study. Additionally, 3.3′-diaminobenzidine stain kit (Sigma Aldrich, United States) was used for immunohistochemistry staining, and hematoxylin–eosin (HE) was used for counterstaining (Sigma Aldrich). Osteoblasts and osteoclasts were stained by means of HE staining. The observation and calculation of the number of osteoblasts and FGF-2 expression in the alveolar bone were done in the tensile side. Meanwhile, the observation and calculation of the number of osteoclasts and MMP-9 expression in the alveolar bone were conducted in the compression side. The observation and calculation were performed manually by two observers in five perspective fields of view by utilizing a Nikon H600L light microscope (Japan) at ×400 magnification.
Statistical Analysis
Analysis of the research data was preceded by a normality test using the Kolmogorov–Smirnov’s test (p > 0.05), after which the homogeneity test using the Levene’s statistic test (p > 0.05) was conducted. One-way analysis of variance test was conducted to determine whether there is a difference between the two treatment groups (p < 0.05). Furthermore, to find out the differences in each treatment group, Tukey’s honest significant difference test was performed (p < 0.05). The Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) 20.0 version (IBM Corporation; Illinois, Chicago, United States) software was used in this study to analyze the data.
Results
The provision of CAPE at selected doses did not lead to any general toxicity, edema, death, or changes in the bw of the animal model. The positive expression of MMP-9 in the osteoclast of the Wistar rat’s alveolar bone during OTM in the compression side was detected in all experimental groups ([Fig. 1 ]). The histological section results showed that osteoclast was found in all experimental groups ([Fig. 2 ]). All data obtained in this study were homogenous and normally distributed (p > 0.05). The highest expression of MMP-9 was found in the K1 group, while the lowest MMP-9 expression was detected in the KP3 group. The highest osteoclast number was found in the K3 group, while the lowest osteoclast number was detected in the KP3 group. There was a significant difference in MMP-9 expression and osteoclast numbers in the compression side between the groups (p < 0.05) ([Table 1 ]). The comparison of MMP-9 expression and osteoclast numbers in the compression side between the groups is displayed in [Table 2 ].
Table 1
Mean and SD of osteoclast number and MMP-9 expression in the compression side in each group
Group
n
Compression side
Osteoclast
ANOVA
MMP-9
ANOVA
Mean ± SD
Mean ± SD
Abbreviations: ANOVA, analysis of variance; MMP-9, matrix metalloproteinase-9; SD, standard deviation.
a Significant at p -value = 0.05.
K1
7
12.14 ± 0.69
0.001a
11.57 ± 1.27
0.001a
KP1
7
9.43 ± 0.98
8.86 ± 0.76
K2
7
15.29 ± 0.76
14.43 ± 0.98
KP2
7
7 ± 0.816
7.86 ± 0.69
K3
7
13.71 ± 1.11
16.14 ± 1.35
KP3
7
5.714 ± 0.76
5.714 ± 0.49
Table 2
The result of Tukey’s HSD test of MMP-9 expression and osteoclast number between the groups in compression side
Comparison between the groups
Compression side
MMP-9 Expression
Osteoclast number
p -Value
p -Value
Abbreviations: HSD, honest significant difference; MMP-9, matrix metalloproteinase-9.
a Significant at p -value = 0.05.
K1
K2
0.001a
0.01a
K3
0.001a
0.01a
KP1
0.01a
0.01a
KP2
0.01a
0.01a
KP3
0.01a
0.01a
K2
K3
0.016a
0.01a
KP1
0.01a
0.01a
KP2
0.01a
0.01a
KP3
0.01a
0.01a
K3
KP1
0.01a
0.01a
KP2
0.01a
0.01a
KP3
0.01a
0.01a
KP1
KP2
0.042a
0.01a
KP3
0.01a
0.01a
KP2
KP3
0.01a
0.01a
Fig. 1 The immunohistochemistry result of MMP-9 expression in the osteoclast of the Wistar rat’s alveolar bone during OTM in the compression side. The positive expression of MMP-9 in the osteoclast is shown as a stained brown color (black arrow) by means of inverted light microscope at ×400 magnification. K1: OTM for 3 days; K2: OTM for 7 days; K3: OTM for 14 days; KP1: OTM and CAPE for 3 days; KP2: OTM and CAPE for 7 days; and KP3: OTM and CAPE for 14 days. CAPE, caffeic acid phenethyl ester; MMP-9, matrix metalloproteinase-9; OTM, orthodontic tooth movement.
Fig. 2 The histological section of osteoclast in the Wistar rat’s alveolar bone during OTM in the compression side. The morphology of the osteoclast is shown as a multinucleated giant cell surrounded by bone resorption area (black arrow) by means of inverted light microscope at ×400 magnification. K1: OTM for 3 days; K2: OTM for 7 days; K3: OTM for 14 days; KP1: OTM and CAPE for 3 days; KP2: OTM and CAPE for 7 days; and KP3: OTM and CAPE for 14 days. CAPE, caffeic acid phenethyl ester; OTM, orthodontic tooth movement.
The positive expression of FGF-2 in the osteoblast of the Wistar rat’s alveolar bone during OTM in the tensile side was detected in all experimental groups ([Fig. 3 ]). The histological section results showed that osteoblast was found in all experimental groups ([Fig. 4 ]). The highest expression of FGF-2 was found in the KP3 group, while the lowest FGF-2 expression was detected in the K1 group. The highest osteoblast number was found in the KP3 group, while the lowest osteoblast number was detected in the K1 group. There was a significant difference in FGF-2 expression and osteoblast numbers in the tensile side between the groups (p < 0.05) ([Table 3 ]). The comparison of FGF-2 expression and the osteoblast numbers in the tensile side between groups is displayed in [Table 4 ].
Table 3
Mean and SD of osteoblasts number and FGF-2 expression in the tensile side in each group
Group
n
Tensile side
Osteoblast
ANOVA
FGF-2
ANOVA
Mean ± SD
Mean ± SD
Abbreviations: ANOVA, analysis of variance; FGF-2, fibroblast growth factor-2; SD, standard deviation.
a Significant at p -value = 0.05.
K1
7
6.29 ± 3.4
0.001a
6.57 ± 1.9
0.001a
KP1
7
9 ± 1.29
9.71 ± 1.6
K2
7
7.43 ± 2.23
6.86 ± 1.86
KP2
7
13.71 ± 3.15
15 ± 2.77
K3
7
8.71 ± 2.36
9.43 ± 1.99
KP3
7
15.86 ± 2.61
15.43 ± 2.57
Table 4
The result of Tukey’s HSD test of FGF-2 expression and osteoblast number between groups
Comparison between the groups
Tensile side
FGF-2 expression
Osteoblast number
p -Value
p -Value
Abbreviations: HSD, honest significant difference; FGF-2, fibroblast growth factor-2.
a Significant at p -value = 0.05.
K1
K2
0.001a
0.015a
K3
0.001a
0.001a
KP1
0.01a
0.235
KP2
1
0.895
KP3
1
1
K2
K3
1
0.672
KP1
0.2
0.001a
KP2
0.001a
0.001a
KP3
0.01a
0.008a
K3
KP1
0.001a
0.001a
KP2
0.001a
0.001a
KP3
0.001a
0.001a
KP1
KP2
1
0.895
KP3
0.202
0.34
KP2
KP3
0.312
0.958
Fig. 3 The immunohistochemistry result of FGF-2 expression in the osteoblast of the Wistar rat’s alveolar bone during OTM in the tensile side. The positive expression of MMP-9 in the osteoblast is shown as a stained brown color (black arrow) by means of inverted light microscope at ×400 magnification. K1: OTM for 3 days; K2: OTM for 7 days; K3: OTM for 14 days; KP1: OTM and CAPE for 3 days; KP2: OTM and CAPE for 7 days; and KP3: OTM and CAPE for 14 days. CAPE, caffeic acid phenethyl ester; FGF-2, fibroblast growth factor-2; MMP-9, matrix metalloproteinase-9; OTM, orthodontic tooth movement.
Fig. 4 The histological section of osteoblast in the Wistar rat’s alveolar bone during OTM in the compression side. The morphology of the osteoblast is shown as a round cell attached on the bone surfaces (black arrow) by means of inverted light microscope at ×400 magnification. K1: OTM for 3 days; K2: OTM for 7 days; K3: OTM for 14 days; KP1: OTM and CAPE for 3 days; KP2: OTM and CAPE for 7 days; and KP3: OTM and CAPE for 14 days. CAPE, caffeic acid phenethyl ester; OTM, orthodontic tooth movement.
Discussion
This study was conducted with the administration of CAPE during OTM in animal models. A force of as much as 10 g/mm2 induced by means of closed coil spring was applied for 4, 7, or 14 days. Optimum and effective force to induce experimental tooth movement in rats was less than 10 g/mm .[10 ]
[30 ] In this study, it was found that MMP-9 expression tends to increase in the control group from day 4 (K1) to day 14 (K3). Alternatively, in the treatment groups, MMP-9 expression decreased from day 4 (KP1) to day 14 (KP3). This is consistent with previous studies, which found that MMP-9 expression increased from day 7 to day 14 under inflammation conditions. Orthodontic force can induce oxidative stress in the periodontal ligament that activates MMP-9.[31 ] CAPE can reduce inflammation by inhibiting the activity of nuclear factor-kappa β (NF-kβ).[32 ] NF-kβ activation is induced by interleukin (IL)-1β and TNF-α as proinflammatory cytokine during OTM.[1 ]
[2 ]
The highest number of osteoclasts was found in the control group on day 7 (K2), while the lowest number of osteoclasts was found in the treatment group on day 14 (KP3). In this study, we were discriminated the osteoblast or osteoclast based on its morphology. Osteoclast’s morphology has (1) multinucleated that attached on the bone surface with resorption area, (2) numerous mitochondria and vacuoles that can be seen in its cytoplasm; (3) ruffled border shows finger-like cytoplasmic processes (see [Fig. 2 ]). Nevertheless, tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase staining is recommended to provide better visualization for osteoclast examination during OTM. Meanwhile, osteoblast has cuboidal morphology that can be found on the interface of newly synthesized bone and strongly basophilic in their cytoplasm.[17 ]
[18 ]
As soon as orthodontic force is applied, the inflammatory cells, osteoclasts, and osteoblast progenitors begin to appear and migrate to the afflicted periodontal tissue. The decrease in the osteoclast number is related to the lag phase.[2 ] The formation of osteoclasts depends on the secretion of proinflammatory cytokines that is induced by OTM.[1 ] Provision of CAPE can decrease the number of osteoclasts at days 4, 7, and 14. This is supported by previous studies, which mention that the administration of CAPE can reduce the number of osteoclasts in the alveolar bone loss during endotoxin-induced periodontitis of an animal model.[33 ]
There were significant differences in the numbers of osteoblasts in the treatment group. CAPE contains antioxidants that inhibit the formation of ROS, resulting in osteoclastogenesis inhibition and enhancement in osteoblastogenesis.[25 ] The increase in osteoblast numbers begins at day 7.[16 ] In the treatment groups, osteoblasts increase significantly compared with the control group. The highest number of osteoblasts was found in the treatment group on day 14 (KP3). Salomão et al also stated that the highest osteoblast number can be found on day 14.[15 ] The bone-defect regeneration in the animal model was significantly enhanced after CAPE provision through the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity that was previously reported.[34 ]
The treatment group (KP) and control group (K) showed significant differences in the expression of FGF-2 in the osteoblast. FGF-2 is a potential angiogenic growth factor that increases during wound healing. It also increases the components of the bone matrix and plays an important role in the regulation of alveolar bone remodeling.[13 ] In the tensile side of OTM, the expression of FGF-2 was found to increase daily from days 3 to 14 in the afflicted alveolar bone. This supports the theory that FGF-2 can induce the chemotaxis and mitogenesis of various periodontal ligament cells, thus enhancing the tissue regeneration processes.[15 ] CAPE can increase the number of collagen polymers secreted by fibroblasts.[26 ] The administration of CAPE enhances the expression of FGF-2 and fibroblast number in diabetic animal models during traumatic ulcer wound healing.[35 ] Additionally, the antioxidant marker such as heat shock protein-70 and the bone regeneration marker, osteocalcin expression and osteoblast number are increased but not osteoclast number after propolis extract combined with bone graft transplantation in alveolar bone defect animal model.[36 ]
One of the goals of OTM is to move and align the teeth in an efficient manner with minimum side effects in the surrounding tissues.[37 ] To achieve the optimal OTM, alveolar bone remodeling homeostasis should be done. CAPE has potential antioxidant activity and anti-inflammatory ability that can promote bone formation and inhibit bone resorption.[23 ]
[24 ] Based on our study result, CAPE provision may delay OTM rate due to inhibit the number of osteoclast and MMP-9 expression. The provision of CAPE, which is contained in propolis, may provide these healthy benefits and may become an adjuvant herbal-based therapy that suitable for relapse prevention after orthodontic treatment or OIRR prevention due to OTM excessive force.
The limitation of this study is we only conducted the immunohistochemical analysis of alveolar bone remodeling–related marker during OTM such as FGF-2 in the osteoblast and MMP-9 in the osteoclast. In our present study, we did not examine the specific marker for osteoclast or osteoblast and the OTM rate. The assessment of osteoclast and osteoblast-related specific marker should be examined in the future study such as nuclear factor-associated T cells-1 or sclerostin for osteoclast and RUNX2 or osteocalcin for osteoblast.[1 ]
[10 ]
[11 ]
[18 ] In addition, OTM rate is important part to be examined to elucidate the CAPE provision effect, either inhibit or enhance the experimental OTM rate in animal model. For that reason, we suggest to examine the OTM rate in the next study. Further research is urgently needed for the analysis of mRNA level of alveolar bone remodeling and inflammatory-related marker during OTM by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction and signaling pathway by western blot.
Conclusions
Based on this study’s results, it can be concluded that CAPE provision during OTM increases the number of osteoblasts and the FGF-2 expression significantly in the tensile side. Meanwhile, osteoclast numbers and MMP-9 expression significantly decrease during OTM after CAPE provision in the compression side, as documented immunohistochemically.