The effect of isoflavones on early bone formation on orthopedically expanded suture in male rats

Objective: The aim of this experimental study was to evaluate histomorphometrically the effects of isoflavones on bone formation in response to expansion of the inter-premaxillary suture in male rats. Materials and Methods: Twenty male, 50-60 days old Wistar rats were divided into two equal groups (control and experimental). Both groups were subjected to expansion for 5 days, and 50 cN of force was applied to the maxillary incisors with helical spring. In experimental group, 10 μg/g isoflavones (IF) were administrated orally. After expansion period, the springs were removed and replaced with short lengths of rectangular retaining wire for retention period in 10 days. Bone formation in the sutural area was histomorphometrically evaluated including the amount of new bone formation (μm 2 ), number of osteoblasts, number of osteoclasts, and number of vessels. Mann-Whitney U -test was used for statistical evaluation at P Results: New bone formation area ( P = 0.003; 2.26-fold) and number of osteoclasts ( P = 0.001; 1.87-fold) showed statistically significant lower values in experimental group than the control. No significant differences were found in number of osteoblast and number of vessel values between the groups. Conclusion: Isoflavones affects bone formation in the orthopedically expanded inter-premaxillary suture negatively, and main affect of Isoflavones were on osteoclasts in bone metabolism.