Korean J Orthod.  2010 Apr;40(2):106-114. 10.4041/kjod.2010.40.2.106.

Stimulation of bone formation by direct electrical current in an orthopedically expanded suture in the rat

• Uysal T
• Amasyali M
• Olmez H
• Karslioglu Y
• Gunhan O

• KMID: 2273218
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4041/kjod.2010.40.2.106

Abstract

OBJECTIVE
The aim of this experimental study was to evaluate the effects of direct electrical current stimulation (DECS) on bone regeneration in response to an expansion of the inter-premaxillary suture in the rat.
METHODS
Sixteen 50 - 60 days old Wistar male rats were separated into two equal groups (control and experimental). Both groups were subjected to expansion, and 30-gram of force was applied to the maxillary incisors with helical-spring. In the experimental group, two metallic-screws were placed at lateral parts of the maxillary segments. Electrodes were connected to the screws. The device was activated with current adjustment to measure 10 microA continuously and the current was monitored daily during the expansion and early-retention phase. Bone regeneration in the sutural area was histomorphometrically evaluated including new-bone area (micrometer2), bone perimeter (micrometer), feret's diameter (micrometer) and newly formed bone (%) parameters. Kruskal-Wallis rank and Mann-Whitney U tests were used for statistical evaluation at p < 0.05 level.
RESULTS
Statistical analysis showed significant differences between groups for all investigated histomorphometric parameters. New bone area (p = 0.002), bone perimeter (p = 0.004), feret's diameter (p = 0.002) and newly formed bone percentage (p = 0.002) measurements were significantly higher in the experimental group than the control group. Bone histomorphometric measurements revealed that bone architecture in the DECS group was improved.
CONCLUSIONS
The application of DECS to an orthopedically expanded inter-premaxillary suture area during the early retention phase stimulated the formation of new bone.

Keyword

Electric stimulation; Maxillary expansion; Image analysis; Rats

MeSH Terms

Animals
Bone Regeneration
Electric Stimulation
Electrodes
Humans
Incisor
Male
Osteogenesis
Palatal Expansion Technique
Rats
Retention (Psychology)
Sutures

Figure

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  Fig. 1 Appliance in situ.

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  Fig. 2 Direct current electrical stimulator.

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  Fig. 3 Schematic diagram of the electrical circuit used to deliver 10 µA.

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  Fig. 4 Histological section of an expanded suture (H&E, ×40 magnification).

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  Fig. 5 Histomorphometric measurements of newly formed bone area (µm2). Image enhancement and outlining of the area of interest, which is newly formed bone.

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  Fig. 6 At the end of the first macro, results window shows the basic planimetric measurements calculated from the outlined objects.

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  Fig. 7 Histomorphometric measurements of newly formed bone (percentage). The number of grid intersections on new bone and non-osseous connective tissue were counted and the percentage of new bone calculated.

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