Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 25, 2026
Using Inducible Osteoblastic Lineage-Specific Stat3 Knockout Mice to Study Alveolar Bone Remodeling During Orthodontic Tooth Movement
Published on: July 21, 2023
Osteoprotegerin and ligand of receptor activator of nuclear factor kappaB expression in ovariectomized rats during
Objective:
To test the null hypothesis that increased tooth displacement in ovariectomized rats is not related to differential expressions of OPG and RANKL in the periodontium.
Materials And Methods:
Eighty-four 12-week female rats were used; half were ovariectomized and half were not. Three months later, the maxillary first molar was moved mesially. Groups of rats were sacrificed at days 0, 1, 3, 5, 7, 10, and 14 after activation. Tooth movement was measured at each time point. OPG and RANKL expressions were examined through immunohistochemistry.
Results:
Ovariectomized and nonovariectomized rats showed three-phase tooth movement. In both groups, OPG expression increased at the tension area and RANKL increased at the pressure area. The OPG/RANKL ratio coincided with tooth movement, especially in the linear phase from 7 to 14 days.
Conclusions:
The null hypothesis is rejected. The increased rate of tooth movement in ovariectomized rats was related to differential expressions of OPG and RANKL.
