biostudies-literatureUnknown31Xiao X<h4>Objectives</h4>The mid-palatal expansion technique is commonly used to correct maxillary constriction in dental clinics. However, there is a tendency for it to relapse, and the key molecules responsible for modulating bone formation remain elusive. Thus, this study aimed to investigate whether signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) activation contributes to osteoblast-mediated bone formation during palatal expansion and relapse.<h4>Methodology</h4>In total, 30 male Wistar rats were randomly allocated into Ctrl (control), E (expansion only), and E+Stattic (expansion plus STAT3-inhibitor, Stattic) groups. Micro-computed tomography, micromorphology staining, and immunohistochemistry of the mid-palatal suture were performed on days 7 and 14. In vitro cyclic tensile streJournal of applied oral science : revista FOBe20230009https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC10167947biostudies-literatureSuppressing STAT3 activation impairs bone formation during maxillary expansion and relapse.PMC10167947Xin LZheng XChen JWang SXiao XZhai QSong JfalseSuppressing STAT3 activation impairs bone formation during maxillary expansion and relapse.<h4>Objectives</h4>The mid-palatal expansion technique is commonly used to correct maxillary constriction in dental clinics. However, there is a tendency for it to relapse, and the key molecules responsible for modulating bone formation remain elusive. Thus, this study aimed to investigate whether signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) activation contributes to osteoblast-mediated bone formation during palatal expansion and relapse.<h4>Methodology</h4>In total, 30 male Wistar rats were randomly allocated into Ctrl (control), E (expansion only), and E+Stattic (expansion plus STAT3-inhibitor, Stattic) groups. Micro-computed tomography, micromorphology staining, and immunohistochemistry of the mid-palatal suture were performed on days 7 and 14. In vitro cyclic tensile stre2023-01-01T00:00:00Z20232025-04-04T10:19:32.173Z2025-02-19T00:12:32.463ZS-EPMC101679473716210710.1590/1678-7757-2023-0009