title: Determination of the antibacterial activity of simvastatin against periodontal pathogens, Porphyromonas gingivalis and Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans: An in vitro study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Statin treatment, apart from its hypolipidemic action has proven its antimicrobial activity by improving the survival rate of patients with severe systemic bacterial infections. Periodontitis is an inflammatory disorder of tooth supporting structures caused by a group of specific microorganisms. The objective of the present study was to determine the antimicrobial activity of pure simvastatin drug against the primary periodontal pathogens.
  
  
  METHODS
  Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) was determined against Porphyromonas gingivalis and Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans using serial dilution method.
  
  
  RESULTS
  MIC of simvastatin against P. gingivalis was 2 μg/ml and A. actinomycetemcomitans was found to be <1 μg/ml which requires further dilutions to determine the exact value.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Data suggests a potent antimicrobial activity of simvastatin against both A. actinomycetemcomitans and P gingivalis. Hence simvastatin can be prescribed as a dual action drug in patients with both hyperlipidemia and periodontal disease.
authors.affiliation: Department of Periodontics, Bapuji Dental College and Hospital, Davangere, Karnataka, India.
authors.forename: Shilpa
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Emani
authors.affiliation: Department of Periodontics, Bapuji Dental College and Hospital, Davangere, Karnataka, India.
authors.forename: Gayathri V
authors.initials: GV
authors.lastname: Gunjiganur
authors.affiliation: Department of Periodontics, Bapuji Dental College and Hospital, Davangere, Karnataka, India.
authors.forename: Dhoom Singh
authors.initials: DS
authors.lastname: Mehta
keywords: Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans; Porphyromonas gingivalis; minimum inhibitory concentration; simvastatin