title: Early alveolar bone regeneration in rats after topical administration of simvastatin.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to ultrastructurally examine the influence of simvastatin on bone healing in surgically created defects in rat mandibles.
  
  
  METHODS
  Bone defects 0.8 mm in diameter were created in the buccal aspect of first mandibular molar roots and filled with 2.5% simvastatin gel, while the controls were allowed to heal spontaneously. The rats were humanely killed 7, 9, 11, or 14 days postoperatively, and the specimens were processed for scanning and transmission electron microscopy, as well as for colloidal gold immunolabeling of osteopontin.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The regenerated alveolar bone in the simvastatin-treated defects presented smaller marrow spaces, and the collagen fibrils were regularly packed exhibiting a lamellar bone aspect. Osteopontin was present through the bone matrix during the wound healing and alveolar bone regeneration.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The present study provides evidence that a single topical application of 2.5% simvastatin gel improves the quality of the new bone and decreases bone resorption.
authors.affiliation: Division of Oral Biology, School of Dentistry, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.
authors.forename: Newton
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Maciel-Oliveira
authors.forename: Vivian
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Bradaschia-Correa
authors.forename: Victor E
authors.initials: VE
authors.lastname: Arana-Chavez
mesh_terms: D000287:Administration, Topical; D016301:Alveolar Bone Loss / Q000188:drug therapy*; D000539:Alveolar Process / Q000187:drug effects / Q000648:ultrastructure; D000818:Animals; D001853:Bone Marrow / Q000187:drug effects / Q000648:ultrastructure; D001857:Bone Matrix / Q000187:drug effects / Q000648:ultrastructure; D001861:Bone Regeneration / Q000187:drug effects*; D001862:Bone Resorption / Q000517:prevention & control; D003094:Collagen / Q000187:drug effects / Q000648:ultrastructure; D005782:Gels; D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008297:Male; D008334:Mandible / Q000187:drug effects / Q000648:ultrastructure; D008336:Mandibular Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D046529:Microscopy, Electron, Transmission; D010006:Osteoblasts / Q000648:ultrastructure; D010012:Osteogenesis / Q000187:drug effects; D053495:Osteopontin / Q000032:analysis; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D019821:Simvastatin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D005782:Gels; D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors; C506897:Spp1 protein, rat; D053495:Osteopontin; D003094:Collagen; D019821:Simvastatin