Surgical methods for accelerating orthodontic tooth movement are limited by possible damage to the tooth root and patient discomfort. 4-Hexylresorcinol (4HR) has been shown to increase bone remodeling and may potentially facilitate tooth movement. This study investigated the (1) effect of 4HR administration on osteoblast-like cells and (2) effect of 4HR administration on tooth movement in ovariectomized rats. Saos-2 cells were treated with either 4HR or solvent (control). Protein expression levels were investigated 2, 8, and 24 h after treatment. Thirty ovariectomized Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into two experimental groups (A and B) and one control group. After installation of an orthodontic tooth movement device, groups A and B received subcutaneous weekly injections of 4HR (1.28 and 128 mg/kg). Micro-computerized tomography and histological analyses were performed after 2 weeks of tooth movement. The application of 4HR elevated expression of osteogenic markers in Saos-2 cells. Movement of the first molars was significantly greater in rats administered 4HR. Furthermore, the expression of bone morphogenic protein-2, receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa-B ligand, osteocalcin, and tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase were increased after 4HR administration. 4HR application demonstrated increased expression of osteogenic markers in Saos-2 cells and accelerated orthodontic tooth movement in rats.
Keywords: 4-hexylresorcinol; animal model; bone morphogenic protein; nuclear factor kappa-B ligand; orthodontic; ovariectomy; tooth movement.