Abstract
This experiment was performed to explore the effect of electric currents and orthodontic forces on bone $PGE_2$ content and orthodontic tooth movement on cats. Stainless steel electrodes were connected a power pack consisting of five miniature batteries, a transistor, and a resistor. The current $(10{\pm}2{\mu}A)$ was provided by a constant source encased in a palatal acrylic plate. In first experiment, the cathode was placed mesial to the right maxillary canine tooth and the anode was positioned distal to the tooth, Sham electrodes were placed new the left cuspid, to serve as control. Nine cats were divided into three groups evenly. Groups of three animals were treated with electric currents only-for 1, 3 and 7 days, respectively. In second experiment, electric currents and the orthodontic forces of about 80 gm were applied to the right maxillary canine, and the orthodontic forces only were applied to the left maxillary canine. 3 groups of three cats each were treated in this experiment-for 1, 3 and 7 days, respectively. Alveolar bone samples were obtained from sites of tension and compression as well as from contralateral sites. Bone samples were extracted by homogenization in $40\%$ ethanal. The supernatant partitioned twice with 2 volumes of petroleum ether to remove neutral lipids and the aqueous supernatant partitioned in ethyl acetate. After drying the solvent, $PGE_2$ was measured by radioimmunoassay technique. The obtained results were as follows. 1. Teeth treated with combined force and electricity moved faster than those treated with force alone. 2. Alveolar bone $PGE_2$ content of electric stimulation was increased at both electrodes. 3. Alveolar bone $PGE_2$ content of mechanical stimulation at compression sites was gradually increased at all time period. At tension site, $PGE_2$ content increased after 1 day of mechanical stimulation remained elevated at all time period. 4. Alveolar bone $PGE_2$ content of compression sites was increased more than that of tension sites from mechanical stimulation as well as electrical stimulation.