Effects of isotretinoin on new bone formation after maxillary sutural expansion

The aim of this study was to examine the effects of isotretinoin on new bone formation after maxillary sutural expansion in rats.

A total of 32 male Wistar rats were selected and randomly divided into four groups. The isotretinoin group was treated with 7.5 mg/kg isotretinoin, and the soybean group was treated with 2 ml/kg soybean oil for 57 days. The substances were applied via oral gavage. The expansion-only and the control groups were not treated with any substance. In the experiment groups, expansion springs were applied on day 41 of the experiment, and after day 5 of expansion, a 12-day retention period was established. At the end of the experiment, all the animals were sacrificed, and their maxillae were dissected for histological evaluation. The numbers of osteoclasts, osteoblasts and formation of new bone and capillaries were evaluated on slides centered around the suture.

The statistical analysis showed significant differences between the groups for the number of osteoblasts and osteoclasts (p < 0.001). In the experiment groups, higher numbers of osteoblasts and osteoclasts were detected in comparison to the control group (p < 0.001), while there was no significant difference between the experiment groups. Capillary formation and new bone formation in the isotretinoin group were found to be on a higher level than in the other groups (p < 0.001).

Isotretinoin had no negative effects on bone formation following the expansion of the maxillary suture in rats.