title: Simvastatin promotes osteogenesis around titanium implants.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Hydroxymethylglutaryl-coenzyme A reductase inhibitors, the so-called statins, have been widely used for hyperlipidemic patients, and it was recently reported that it promoted bone formation. In the present study, we examined the effect of simvastatin on the promotion of osteogenesis around titanium implants.
  
  
  METHODS
  Ten 30-week-old rats received pure titanium implants in both tibiae, and were then divided into experimental and control groups. The experimental group was administered simvastatin daily. Thirty days later, all animals were killed and then specimens were prepared. The bone contact ratio (BCR) to the implant and bone density (BD) around the implant, as well as histological findings, were obtained.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In the control group, newly formed bone could be seen around the implants. It was seen to be in direct contact with the implant surface, but otherwise unmineralized connective tissue was occasionally interposed. In the medullary canal, a scanty amount of bone trabeculae was observed. In the experimental group, in contrast, thicker bone trabeculae were abundantly seen in the medullary canal and showed a mesh-like structure. In the histometrical observations, both BCR and BD of the experimental group were significantly greater than those of the control group.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The administration of simvastatin increases the value of both BCR and BD. This drug may have the potential to improve the nature of osseointegration.
authors.affiliation: Section of Oral Reconstructive Biotechnology, Division of Oral Rehabilitation, Faculty of Dental Science, Kyushu University, Japan. ayukawa@dent.kyushu-u.ac.jp
authors.forename: Yasunori
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Ayukawa
authors.forename: Akira
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Okamura
authors.forename: Kiyoshi
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Koyano
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D015519:Bone Density / Q000187:drug effects; D001853:Bone Marrow / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology; D004396:Coloring Agents; D003238:Connective Tissue / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology; D015921:Dental Implants; D005260:Female; D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology*; D016348:Osseointegration / Q000187:drug effects; D010012:Osteogenesis / Q000187:drug effects*; D051381:Rats; D019821:Simvastatin / Q000494:pharmacology*; D013977:Tibia / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology; D014025:Titanium; D014048:Tolonium Chloride
chemical_list: D004396:Coloring Agents; D015921:Dental Implants; D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors; D014048:Tolonium Chloride; D019821:Simvastatin; D014025:Titanium