Expression of Wnt10b, β-catenin, Rankl and Runx2 in the Periodontal Tissues During Orthodontic Tooth Movement in Rats

Objective: to investigate the expression of Wnt10b, Rankl, β-catenin and Runx2 mRNA in periodontal tissues during orthodontic tooth movement (OTM) in rats; Materials and methods36 healthy male SD rats were selected and divided into six groups randomly according to the time of the force applied (0 hour, 12 hours, 24 hours, 5 days, 7 days, 14 days), with 6 rats in each group. 0hour group served as the control group. Except for control group, an orthodontic force of 50g was applied to the upper-left first molar with a nickel-titanium tension spring. The expression of Wnt10b, Rankl, β-catenin and Runx2 during OTM were detected by Real-time PCR (RT-PCR). ResultsCompared with the control group, Wnt10b mRNA expression in the pressure side was inhibited at the initial stage, and then increased, reached peak at day 5. A strong expression of Rankl mRNA in the pressure side can be seen from 12 hours to 14 days. The expression level was consistently higher than control group, and it peaked at day 7. The initial expression of β-catenin and Runx2 mRNA in the periodontal tissues of the experimental groups were small in the tension side, but still higher than the control group. The expression increased gradually with the extension of time, and reached the peak at day 7 after force treatment. ConclusionWnt10b, β-catenin, Rankl and Runx2 are related to periodontal tissues remodeling during OTM in rats; Wnt10b/β-catenin signaling pathways participate in periodontal tissue remodeling during OTM.