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

Objectives: To evaluate the effects of coenzyme Q₁₀ (CoQ₁₀) 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 + CoQ₁₀ (CoQ₁₀) 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 CoQ₁₀ and OF groups were administered 100 mg/kg b.w./day CoQ₁₀ (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 CoQ₁₀ 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 CoQ₁₀ 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 CoQ₁₀ group; however, there was no significant difference in the number of osteoblasts between the groups (p > 0.05).

Conclusion: Due to its effect on oxidative stress and inflammation, CoQ₁₀ regulates bone remodeling by inhibiting osteoclast differentiation, promoting osteoblast differentiation and reducing the amount of OTM.

Clinical relevance: Considering that OTM may be slowed with the use of CoQ₁₀, 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 CoQ₁₀ 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.