A novel osteotropic biomaterial OG-PLG:In vitro efficacy

Statins-Their Role in Bone Tissue Metabolism and Local Applications with Different Carriers

Statins, widely prescribed for lipid disorders, primarily target 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase competitively and reversibly, resulting in reduced low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C). This mechanism proves effective in lowering the risk of lipid-related diseases such as ischemic cerebrovascular and coronary artery diseases. Beyond their established use, statins are under scrutiny for potential applications in treating bone diseases. The focus of research centers mainly on simvastatin, a lipophilic statin demonstrating efficacy in preventing osteoporosis and aiding in fracture and bone defect healing. Notably, these effects manifest at elevated doses (20 mg/kg/day) of statins, posing challenges for systematic administration due to their limited bone affinity. Current investigations explore intraosseous statin delivery facilitated by specialized carriers. This paper outlines various carrier types, characterizing their structures and underscoring various statins' potential as local treatments for bone diseases.

Simvastatin-Incorporated Drug Delivery Systems for Bone Regeneration

Local drug delivery systems composed of biomaterials and osteogenic substances provide promising strategies for the reconstruction of large bone defects. In recent years, simvastatin has been studied extensively for its pleiotropic effects other than lowering of cholesterol, including its ability to induce osteogenesis and angiogenesis. Accordingly, several studies of simvastatin incorporated drug delivery systems have been performed to demonstrate the feasibility of such systems in enhancing bone regeneration. Therefore, this review explores the molecular mechanisms by which simvastatin affects bone metabolism and angiogenesis. The simvastatin concentrations that promote osteogenic differentiation are analyzed. Furthermore, we summarize and discuss a variety of simvastatin-loaded drug delivery systems that use different loading methods and materials. Finally, current shortcomings of and future development directions for simvastatin-loaded drug delivery systems are summarized. This review provides various advanced design strategies for simvastatin-incorporated drug delivery systems that can enhance bone regeneration.

Incorporation of simvastatin in PLLA membranes for guided bone regeneration: effect of thermal treatment on simvastatin release

Electrospun membranes based on biodegradable polymers are promising materials to be used for guided bone regeneration (GBR) therapy. The incorporation of osteostimulatory compounds can improve the biofunctionality of those membranes, making them active players in bone regeneration. Simvastatin has been shown to promote osteogenic differentiation both in vitro and in vivo. However, in most of these systems, the drug was quickly released, not matching the pace of bone regeneration. The aim of this study was to develop poly(l-lactic acid) (PLLA) membranes containing simvastatin (SV) that have a prolonged drug release rate, compatible with GBR applications. To this end, SV was mixed with PLLA and electrospun. The membranes were subjected to a thermal treatment in order to increase the crystallinity of PLLA. Morphological, structural and chemical properties of the electrospun membranes were characterized. The effect of the thermal treatment on the release profile of SV was evaluated by near physiological release experiments at 37 °C. The osteostimulatory potential was determined by in vitro culture of the membranes with rat bone marrow stromal cells (rBMSCs). The results confirmed that the thermal treatment led to an increase in polymer crystallinity and a more sustained release of SV. In vitro assays demonstrate cellular proliferation over time for all the membranes and a significant increase in osteogenic differentiation for the membranes containing SV subjected to thermal treatment.

Thermal treatment resulted in a sustained release of simvastatin and a positive response from rBMSCs.

Targeted delivery as key for the success of small osteoinductive molecules

Molecules such as growth factors, peptides and small molecules can guide cellular behavior and are thus important for tissue engineering. They are rapidly emerging as promising compounds for the regeneration of tissues of the musculoskeletal system. Growth factors have disadvantages such as high cost, short half-life, supraphysiological amounts needed, etc. Therefore, small molecules may be an alternative. These molecules have been discovered using high throughput screening. Small osteoinductive molecules exhibit several advantages over growth factors owing to their small sizes, such as high stability and non-immunogenicity. These molecules may stimulate directly signaling pathways that are important for osteogenesis. However, systemic application doesn't induce osteogenesis in most cases. Therefore, local administration is needed. This may be achieved by using a bone graft material providing additional osteoconductive properties. These graft materials can also act by themselves as a delivery matrix for targeted and local delivery. Furthermore, vascularization is necessary in the process of osteogenesis. Many of the small molecules are also capable of promoting vascularization of the tissue to be regenerated. Thus, in this review, special attention is given to molecules that are capable of inducing both angiogenesis and osteogenesis simultaneously. Finally, more recent preclinical and clinical uses in bone regeneration of those molecules are described, highlighting the needs for the clinical translation of these promising compounds.

Efficacy of Simvastatin in Bone Regeneration After Surgical Removal of Mandibular Third Molars: A Clinical Pilot Study

INTRODUCTION

Simvastatin, a common cholesterol-lowering drug that inhibits hepatic hydroxymethylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase, the rate-limiting enzyme in the mevalonate pathway, increases expression of the BMP-2 gene and thus promotes bone regeneration.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A study was conducted in mandibular third molar sockets to study the efficacy of the drug by implanting it into sockets (experimental group) and observations were made over 3 months to compare the healing with the (control group).

CONCLUSION

The results showed faster regeneration of the bone in the simvastatin site using the gray level histogram values.

Functionalization of biomaterials with small osteoinductive moieties

Human mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are currently recognized as a powerful cell source for regenerative medicine, notably for their capacity to differentiate into multiple cell types. The combination of MSCs with biomaterials functionalized with instructive cues can be used as a strategy to direct specific lineage commitment, and can thus improve the therapeutic efficacy of these cells. In terms of biomaterial design, one common approach is the functionalization of materials with ligands capable of directly binding to cell receptors and trigger specific differentiation signaling pathways. Other strategies focus on the use of moieties that have an indirect effect, acting, for example, as sequesters of bioactive ligands present in the extracellular milieu that, in turn, will interact with cells. Compared with complex biomolecules, the use of simple compounds, such as chemical moieties and peptides, and other small molecules can be advantageous by leading to less expensive and easily tunable biomaterial formulations. This review describes different strategies that have been used to promote substrate-mediated guidance of osteogenic differentiation of immature osteoblasts, osteoprogenitors and MSCs, through chemically conjugated small moieties, both in two- and three-dimensional set-ups. In each case, the selected moiety, the coupling strategy and the main findings of the study were highlighted. The latest advances and future perspectives in the field are also discussed.

Design and In Vitro Evaluation of Polymeric Formulae of Simvastatin for Local Bone Induction

Simvastatin (SVS), a cholesterol-lowering drug, has been shown to stimulate bone formation. This study deals with the design and in vitro evaluation of local delivery systems for simvastatin. They are intended to treat bony defects resulting from periodontitis or to induce osteogenesis around the titanium implants. Granules and gels were formulated using bioerodible/biocompatible polymers, namely hydroxypropylmethyl cellulose (H), sodium carboxymethyl cellulose (C), and chitosan (Ch). The in vitro release profiles and kinetics were evaluated and the swelling and/or erosion was monitored. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and infrared (IR) were used to detect any SVS/polymer interactions that may affect drug release. The results revealed variable extents of controlled drug release from the designed formulae depending on the polymer nature. About 50% cumulative SVS was released from both H granules and gel formulae within 24 h and approximately 66% and approximately 88% from C granules and gel, respectively. Ch formulae exhibited approximately 50% release from granules and approximately 30% from gel.

Review: ex vivo engineering of living tissues with adult stem cells

Adult stem cells have the potential to revolutionize regenerative medicine with their unique abilities to self-renew and differentiate into various phenotypes. This review examines progress and challenges in ex vivo tissue engineering with adult stem cells. These rare cells are harvested from a variety of tissues, including bone marrow, adipose, skeletal muscle, and placenta, and differentiate into cells of their own lineage and in some cases atypical lineages. Insight into the stem cell niche leads to the identification of matrix components, soluble factors, and physiological conditions that enhance the ex vivo amplification and differentiation of stem cells. Scaffolds composed of metals, naturally occurring materials, and synthetic polymers organize stem cells into complex spatial groupings that mimic native tissue. Cell signals from covalently bound ligands and slowly released regulatory factors in scaffolds direct stem cell fate. Future advances in stem cell biology and scaffold design will ultimately improve the efficacy of tissue substitutes as implants, in research, and as extracorporeal devices.