1. Figure 4. Osteoclast number and activity increase significantly in the mid-palatal suture in response to tensile forces. (A) Immunohistochemistry for TRAP was performed in paraffin section of both Experimental and Sham maxillae to identify active osteoclasts in the area. Light microphotographs show TRAP-positive osteoclasts in the mid-palatal suture and surrounding bone at different time points. All images were collected at the suture area between the first and second molars. Osteoclasts are stained as multi-nucleated red cells (black arrows, magnification 10X). (B) Mean numbers of osteoclasts at different time points, in the area of the mid-palatal suture and adjacent bone. Each value represents the mean ± SD of five animals. (* Significantly different from Sham, p<0.05). C) Change in expression of osteoclast markers (RANKL, RANK, OPG and CtsK) in the mid-palatal suture of the Experimental and Sham groups at different time points during application of transverse forces was measured by RT-PCR. Data presented as mean “fold” change in expression in comparison to Sham expression. Each number represents the average of 5 samples. (* Significantly different from Sham at the same time point, p<0.05). (D) Bone density was quantified using µCT data in the area of the mid-palatal suture and surrounding palatal bone. Data shown as mean ± SD of BV/TV percentage (bone volume/ tissue volume). (* Significantly different from Sham at same time point, p<0.05).
Alikhani M, Alansari S, Al Jearah MM, Gadhavi N, Hamidaddin MA, Shembesh FA, Sangsuwon C, Nervina JM, Teixeira CC. Innovation (4):e1. doi: /2018.2