The dynamic changes of circulating OCN+ cells versus insulinlike growth factor-I during primary healing of orthognathic surgeries

Objective. The objective of this study was to determine the dynamic changes of circulating osteocalcin(+) (OCN+) cells and insulinlike growth factor-I (IGF-I) in peripheral blood during early primary repair of jaw bones in patients with orthognathic surgery. Study design. The expression of bone-related genes was detected by RT-PCR in circulating OCN+ cells. The numbers of OCN+ cells and serum level of IGF-I were determined by flow cytometry, immunocytochemical staining, and ELISA. Results. OCN+ cells significantly increased in peripheral blood, and reached the peak at 1 to 2 weeks after surgery (P < .05). IGF-I in patients significantly decreased 1 week after surgery (P < .05), and then returned gradually to the normal level. There was no significant correlation between the number of circulating OCN+ cells and the level of IGF-I (P > .05). Conclusions. These findings suggested that circulating OCN+ cells, at least in part, could be mobilized in response to bone injury, and contribute to bone repair in patients with orthognathic surgery. (Oral Surg Oral Med Oral Pathol Oral Radiol 2012;113:734-740)