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Updated: May 19, 2026

A Mouse Distraction Osteogenesis Model
Published on: November 14, 2018
Expression of MMP-1 and TIMP-1 in irradiated mandibles during distraction osteogenesis
Wen Biao Zhang1, Li Wu Zheng, Daniel Tsin Tien Chua
1Discipline of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Faculty of Dentistry, University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China.
Objectives:
The study aimed to evaluate the expression of MMP-1 and TIMP-1 in irradiated mandibles during distraction osteogenesis.
Study Design:
Rabbits in the experimental group received preoperative radiation of 9 Gy for 5 fractions. After 1 month, all rabbits underwent osteotomy and distraction osteogenesis with 7 days of latency. Three rabbits in the control and experimental groups were killed at days 7, 12, 18, and 25. Specimens were subjected to immunohistochemical examination and real-time polymerase chain reaction analysis.
Results:
At day 7, expression of MMP-1 and TIMP-1 was significantly suppressed in the radiotherapy group in contrast to the control group. At day 12, expression of MMP-1 was significantly higher in the control group. At day 18, expression of MMP-1 and TIMP-1 was significantly higher in the control than in the radiotherapy group.
Conclusions:
Radiotherapy changes the expression pattern of MMP-1 and TIMP-1.

