EXPERIMENTAL ASSESSMENT OF A THERAPEUTIC-PROPHYLACTIC COMPLEX ON PHOSPHATASE ACTIVITY IN JAW BONE HOMOGENATES OF RATS UNDER CONDITIONS OF EXPERIMENTAL FLUOROSIS AND ORTHODONTIC INTERVENTION

Abstract

Excessive fluoride intake leads to fluorosis, accompanied by an imbalance in bone remodelling and damage to teeth and bone. Optimising preventive and corrective strategies for these disorders remains a pressing challenge in contemporary dentistry. Aim of the study. To evaluate the influence of a newly developed therapeutic-prophylactic complex (TPC) on phosphatase activity in mandibular bone tissue of rats subjected to experimental fluorosis and orthodontic loading. Materials and methods. Forty male Wistar rats (4 months old, 280 ± 14 g) were assigned to four groups (n = 10 each): (1) intact control; (2) fluorosis (60 days of NaF in drinking water, 10 mg F−/kg); (3) fluorosis + orthodontic tooth movement (OTM); and (4) fluorosis + OTM + TPC. Orthodontic loading was simulated by fixing a spring between the upper molars for 30 days. In group 4 the TPC was administered orally during the final 30 days. Acid (ACP) and alkaline (ALP) phosphatase activities ‒ markers of osteoclastic and osteoblastic activity, respectively ‒ were measured in homogenates of the alveolar bone. Statistical analysis was performed in STATISTICA 6.1 using Student’s t-test; p < 0.01 was considered significant. Results. Fluorosis increased ACP activity by 60 % and decreased ALP activity by 22 % versus intact rats, indicating enhanced bone resorption. Superimposed OTM further elevated ACP by 112.8 % relative to controls and partially increased ALP by 49.7 %. TPC administration reduced ACP activity by 49.0 % and raised ALP activity by 24.1 % compared with untreated animals, restoring the ALP/ACP ratio to control levels. Conclusions. Chronic fluoride intoxication and orthodontic loading in rats induce a pronounced imbalance in jaw bone remodelling – heightened resorption (increasedACP) coupled with suppressed osteogenesis (decreased ALP). The tested TPC significantly attenuates osteoclastic activity and stimulates osteoblastic processes under fluorotic conditions, normalising the mineralisation index of the alveolar bone. These findings demonstrate a marked osteoprotective effect of the complex and substantiate further investigation of its potential to prevent fluorosis- related complications during orthodontic treatment.