Effect of Cocoa Administration on Osteoblast Counts and Alkaline Phosphatase Levels During Orthodontic Tooth Movement in Rats

Introduction: The cocoa effect on osteoblast activity during orthodontic tooth movement remains unknown. To analyze the effect of caffeine in cocoa on osteoblast counts and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) levels during orthodontic tooth movement. Materials and Methods: The subjects used in this study were 24 male Sprague–Dawley rats aged 2.5–3 months. They were divided into treatment and control groups (n =1 2). A three-spin stainless steel coil spring with a 35 cN orthodontic force was stabilized on the maxillary incisors. The rats in the treatment group were given 4.8 g of cocoa powder with 2.7 mg of caffeine. All the subjects were euthanized in four consequent time periods (0, 1, 7, and 14 days), and tissue specimens were stained with hematoxylin-eosin. Osteoblasts were observed and counted under a light microscope with an Optilab camera at 400× magnification. ALP levels were examined through ELISA. Data were analyzed through two-way ANOVA followed by LSD post-hoc test. Results: Significant differences were observed in the control and treatment groups and the time of observing osteoblast count and ALP levels (P < 0.05). Osteoblast counts and ALP levels in the treatment group were significantly lower than those in the control group. Conclusion: Caffeine in cocoa might inhibit osteoblast activities by decreasing ALP levels and osteoblast count.