Abstract :
The objective of this study is to investigate the effect of different doses and intake duration of cocoa administration on vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) expression during experimental orthodontic tooth movement (OTM) in male guinea pigs (Cavia cobaya). Twelve male guinea pigs were divided into four groups as follows: OTM only control group (ONC), cocoa doses groups: OTM and 1,37 g (OWC1); OTM and 2,05 g (OWC2); OTM and 2,74 g (OWC3). Nickel-titanium open-coil spring installed between both lower incisors generating 35 cN orthodontic force. All groups were further divided into cocoa intake duration as follows: 0,1,7 and 14 days. Gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) extracted on compression side at 4 subsequent time; 0,1,7 and 14 days. The expression of VEGF was examined using a specific enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Statistical analysis was done using the two-way Anova test and Tukey’s Post Hoc LSD. Expression of VEGF in the compression side was significantly different between doses groups and intake duration groups (p<0.05). There was significant interaction in VEGF expression between groups of cocoa doses and duration in the compression side of experimental tooth movement (p< 0.05). Based on this research, it can be concluded that cocoa administration during OTM influences VEGF expression in the compression side. In this study, a higher dose of cocoa increase VEGF expression, while a longer intake duration influence VEGF expression. Further study of the 2,05 g cocoa dose with immunohistochemistry in both compression and tension side is desired to determine the optimal dose of cocoa to take effect in OTM.
