Effect of cetirizine, a histamine (H1) receptor antagonist, on bone modeling during orthodontic tooth movement in rats

Introduction: Histamine (H-1) receptor antagonists are widely used drugs for treatment of allergic conditions. Although histamine was shown to be involved in bone remodeling, the aim of this study was to determine the effects of cetirizine, an H-1 receptor antagonist, on bone modeling processes during orthodontic tooth movement. Methods: We used 3 groups of Wistar rats: control group (n = 16), appliance-only group (n = 16) and cetirizine group (n = 16). Each animal of the last 2 groups was fitted with a superelastic closed-coil spring appliance and treated daily with saline solution or cetirizine. Tooth movement was measured weekly from day 0 to day 42. Gene expression levels for bone turnover markers cathepsin K and osteocalcin were determined by means of real-time polymerase chain reaction. Histologic samples were analyzed by using histomorphometry. Results: Cetirizine decreased the amount of tooth movement from day 28 onward (P < 0.01), and it also decreased osteoclast volume density (P < 0.001). An increase in alveolar bone volume density was observed in the cetirizine group (P < 0.01) compared with the appliance-only group. No statistically significant differences were observed in osteoclast activity, osteoblast volume density, and osteoblast activity between the cetirizine and the appliance-only groups. Conclusions: Cetirizine influences bone modeling, mainly by inhibiting bone resorption. Therefore, H1 receptor antagonists could interfere with orthodontic treatment. (Am J Orthod Dentofacial Orthop 2011;139:e323-e329)