Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 7, 2026
Accessing the Cytotoxicity and Cell Response to Biomaterials
Published on: July 8, 2021
Epidermal growth factor in liposomes may enhance osteoclast recruitment during tooth movement in rats
Karina Renata Gomes Cimini Saddi1, Guilherme Dias Alves, Tony Paiva Paulino
1Department of Orthodontics, Pontificia Universidade Católica de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil.
Objective:
To evaluate the effects of local administration of epidermal growth factor (EGF) located within liposomes on recruitment of osteoclasts during mechanical force in rats.
Materials And Methods:
An orthodontic elastic band was inserted between the left upper first and second molars, to move mesially the first molar. Rats were randomly divided into 4 groups (n = 8): EGF (2 ng/microL) located within liposomes (group 1), liposomes only (group 2), soluble EGF (2 ng/microL; group 3), or vehicle alone (group 4). The solutions were injected into the region of the root furcation of the left first molar after elastic band insertion. Tooth movement was measured using a plaster model of the maxilla, and the number of osteoclasts recruited at the pressure side of the first molar was histologically evaluated.
Results:
Intergroup analysis showed that there was no significant difference between group 2 and group 4 (P > .05) and between group 1 and group 3 (P > .05). However, group 1 and group 3 exhibited greater differences in tooth movement than group 2 and group 4 (P < .05). On the other hand, group 1 showed greater tooth movement than groups 2 and 4 with statistical significance (P < .01). The increase in the number of osteoclasts in group 1 was significantly higher than in the other groups (P < .05).
Conclusion:
Exogenous EGF-liposome administration has an additive effect when compared with soluble EGF on the rate of osteoclast recruitment, producing faster bone resorption and tooth movement.
