Evaluation of apoptosis and osteopontin expression in osteocytes exposed to orthodontic forces of different magnitudes.

The in vivo response of osteocytes to different force magnitudes soon after they are applied remains to be elucidated. The aim of this study was to examine the early effects of applying a very light (LF: 0,16 N) and a very strong (SF: 2,26 N) orthodontic force during one hour on apoptosis and osteopontin (OPN) expression on alveolar bone osteocytes, in rats. Results: LF: compared to the control group, they showed a significant increase in OPN expression, and a significant decrease in the number of TUNELpositive osteocytes. SF: compared to the control group, they showed a significant increase in OPN expression and a significant decrease in the number of TUNELpositive osteocytes. Our results show that osteocytes respond very early to the application of tension and pressure forces of different magnitudes, and application of forces decreases the number of apoptotic osteocytes and increases OPN expression. These results allow concluding that osteocytes activate rapidly when subjected to locally applied forces, whether these forces be pressure or tension, light or strong forces.