Nicotine effect on bone remodeling during orthodontic tooth movement: histological study in rats.

Introduction: Nicotine is harmful to angiogenesis, osteogenesis and synthesis of collagen.

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of nicotine on bone remodeling during orthodontic movement in rats.

Methods: Eighty male Wistar rats were randomly divided into three groups: Group C (control), group CM (with orthodontic movement) and group NM (nicotine with orthodontic movement) groups. The animals comprising groups C and CM received 0.9% saline solution while group NM received nicotine solution (2 mg/kg). A nickel-titanium closed-coil spring was used to induce tooth movement. The animals were euthanized and tissue specimens were histologically processed. Blood vessels, Howship's lacunae and osteoclast-like cells present in the tension and compression areas of periodontal ligaments were quantified. The extent of bone formation was evaluated under polarized light, to determine the percentage of immature/mature collagen.

Results: It was observed lower blood vessel densities in the NM group in comparison to the CM group, three (p < 0.001) and seven (p < 0.05) days after force application. Osteoclast-like cells and Howship's lacunae in the NM group presented lower levels of expression, in comparison to the CM group, with significant differences on day 7 (p < 0.05 for both variables) and day 14 (p < 0.05 for osteoclast-like cells and p < 0.01 for Howship's lacunae). The percentage of immature collagen was increased in the NM group in comparison to the CM group, with a statistically significant difference on day 3 (p < 0.05), day 7 (p < 0.001), day 14 (p < 0.001) and day 21 (p < 0.001).

Conclusions: Nicotine affects bone remodeling during orthodontic movement, reducing angiogenesis, osteoclast-like cells and Howship's lacunae, thereby delaying the collagen maturation process in new bone matrix.