Inhibition of 12/15-lipoxygenase reduces orthodontically induced root resorption in rats

To investigate whether the inhibition of 12/15-lipoxygenase (12/15-LOX), one of the core enzymes of the arachidonic acid cascade, suppresses orthodontically induced root resorption (OIRR), and examine the involvement of the hyaline degeneration of periodontal ligament cells and odontoclast differentiation.

The left maxillary first molars of 10-week-old male Wistar rats were moved mesially for 14 days using a closed-coil spring (25 cN) inserted between the first molar and incisor. The rats were intraperitoneally administered with a 12/15-LOX specific inhibitor (ML-351; 0.05 mmol/kg) daily in the experimental group or vehicle (dimethyl sulfoxide) in the control group. Tooth movement was measured using microcomputed tomography on day 14. The appearance of OIRR, hyaline degeneration, osteoclasts, and odontoclasts was evaluated via histological analysis. Immunohistochemical staining for receptor-activated NF-kB ligand (RANKL) and osteoprotegerin was performed.

OIRR observed on day 14 in the control group was strongly suppressed by ML-351 treatment. Hyaline degeneration observed on the compression side on day 3 and the appearance of osteoclasts and odontoclasts on days 3 and 14 were significantly suppressed by ML-351. RANKL expression on day 3 was significantly suppressed by ML-351. These key processes in OIRR were substantially suppressed by ML-351 treatment.

Inhibition of 12/15-LOX reduced OIRR by suppressing hyaline degeneration and subsequent odontoclast differentiation.