Effects of coenzyme Q10 on orthodontic tooth movement and alveolar bone remodeling in rats

Objectives To evaluate the effects of coenzyme Q(10) (CoQ(10)) on alveolar bone remodeling and orthodontic tooth movement (OTM). Materials and methods An orthodontic appliance was placed in 42 female Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into two groups: the orthodontic force (OF) group (n = 21) and the OF + CoQ(10) (CoQ(10)) treatment group (n = 21). Each group was divided into 3 subgroups, and the rats were sacrificed on days 3, 7 and 14. The rats in CoQ(10) and OF groups were administered 100 mg/kg b.w./day CoQ(10) (in 1 mL/b.w. soybean oil) and 1 mL b.w./day soybean oil, respectively, by orogastric gavage. The OTM was measured at the end of the experiment. The osteoclast, osteoblast and capillary numbers; vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), receptor activator nuclear kappa B ligand (RANKL) and osteoprotegrin (OPG) levels in tissue; and total antioxidant status (TAS) and total oxidant status (TOS) in blood were determined. Results Compared with the OF group, the CoQ(10) treatment group exhibited decreased orthodontic tooth movement and osteoclast and capillary numbers. Indeed, the levels of VEGF and RANKL decreased, while the levels of OPG increased except on day 7. Additionally, the CoQ(10) treatment group exhibited lower TOS and higher TAS on days 7 and 14 (p < 0.05). Histological findings showed that the morphology of osteoblasts changed in the CoQ(10) group; however, there was no significant difference in the number of osteoblasts between the groups (p > 0.05). Conclusion Compared with the OF group, the CoQ(10) treatment group exhibited decreased orthodontic tooth movement and osteoclast and capillary numbers. Indeed, the levels of VEGF and RANKL decreased, while the levels of OPG increased except on day 7. Additionally, the CoQ(10) treatment group exhibited lower TOS and higher TAS on days 7 and 14 (p < 0.05). Histological findings showed that the morphology of osteoblasts changed in the CoQ(10) group; however, there was no significant difference in the number of osteoblasts between the groups (p > 0.05). Clinical relevance Considering that OTM may be slowed with the use of CoQ(10), topics such as orthodontic treatment duration, orthodontic force activation and appointment frequency should be considered in treatment planning. It is predicted that the use of CoQ(10) will support the effectiveness of treatment in clinical applications such as preventing relapse in orthodontic treatment by regulating bone modulation and anchorage methods that suppress/optimize unwanted tooth movement.