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The activity of alkaline phosphatase and the incorporation of tetracycline as signs of bone formation were studied after orthodontic tooth movement for 10 h to 6 days in rats. Defined low or high forces were used. A moderate activity of non-specific alkaline phosphatase was found in the periodontal membrane (PDM) in untreated rats and in rats treated with low forces. In addition, all bone surfaces were outlined with a narrow band of intense non-specific alkaline phosphatase activity that was vanadate- and levamisole-resistant. Likewise, tetracycline was incorporated on all bone surfaces. The bone formation rate was low and uniform within the alveolus, indicating that no intra-alveolar drift of the molar occurred in the untreated rats. Orthodontic forces gradually inhibited vanadate- and levamisole-resistant alkaline phosphatases and tetracycline incorporation on the bone surfaces in the pressure zones of the PDM, depending on the magnitude of the force. It was suggested that the disappearance of these isoenzymes, in a limited area, as seen in the pressure zones, was associated with inhibited bone formation and subsequent initiation of bone resorption. On the tension side a slight reduction and redistribution of vanadate- and levamisole-resistant alkaline phosphatase activity could be noted irrespective of the magnitude of the applied force.

– Enzyme histochemical techniques were used as markers of macrophage activity and differentiation in the periodontal tissues following orthodontic tooth movement in man. The enzymes studies included lactate dehydrogenase, glucose‐6‐phosphate dehydrogenase, succinic dehydrogenase, acid phosphatase and its tartrate resistant isoenzyme, arylsulfatase, aminopeptidase M and prostaglandin synthetase. Chloroacetyl esterase activity was studied in order to detect possible neutrophilic degrading activity. Intense activities of arylsulfatase and prostaglandin synthetase and a moderate activity of aminopeptidase M were found in cells degrading the hyaline zone. However, no activity of tartrate resistant acid phosphatase was found in these cells. Giant cells in contact with bone surfaces adjacent to the hyaline zone exhibited an intense activity of succinic dehydrogenase, tartrate resistant acid phosphatase and aminopeptidase M. Chloroacetyl esterase activity did not change following orthodontic treatment. The results indicate that macrophages in various stages of differentiation were responsible for the degradation of the hyaline zone and alveolar bone during orthodontic tooth movement. The enzymatic differences were probably due to the influence of the immediate cellular environment. Prostaglandin synthetase activity, which may be interpreted as a sign of prostaglandin secretion, was associated with the degradation of the hyaline zone in man.