Simvastatin Induces Osteogenic Differentiation and Suppresses Adipogenic Differentiation in Primarily Cultured Human Adipose-Derived Stem Cells

Evaluation of efficacy of simvastatin in bone regeneration following local application in third molar extraction socket: A randomized control trial

Aims and Objectives

The aim of this study is to study the efficacy of simvastatin in bone regeneration following the local application in third molar extraction sockets.

Materials and Methods

This is a randomized controlled trial done on 50 patients involving 100 third molar teeth extraction sockets. The patients were randomly divided based on the placement of simvastatin. Extraction sockets which were treated with simvastatin were considered study sockets and without simvastatin were considered control sockets. The study socket was assigned for the placement of simvastatin (10 mg) powder along with gelfoam as carrier moistened with normal saline solution and control socket was assigned for the placement of gelfoam moistened with saline. Intraoral periapical radiographs were taken on the 1st, 4th, 8th, and 12th weeks, and mean gray scale values indicating bone density were evaluated for both the groups. Cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) was taken by the end of the 12th week to further evaluate the osseous regeneration. Patients were compared and evaluated for bone density, pain, and swelling. Pain and swelling were evaluated on postoperative days 1 and 7.

Results

The mean gray-level histogram values (bone density) were statistically highly significant in the study group compared to the control group in the 1st, 4th, 8th, and 12th weeks, and CBCT also showed statistically significant difference between the control and study group by the end of the 12th week.

Conclusion

The present data suggest that the local application of simvastatin promotes and enhances bone formation in the extraction sockets, which provides a very cost-effective way for faster bone regeneration.

Enhanced osteoinductive capacity of poly(lactic-co-glycolic) acid and biphasic ceramic scaffolds by embedding simvastatin

OBJECTIVES

This study evaluated the effect of embedding simvastatin (SIM) on the osteoinductive capacity of PLGA + HA/βTCP scaffolds in stem cells from human exfoliated deciduous teeth (SHED).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Scaffolds were produced by PLGA solvent dissolution, addition of HA/βTCP, solvent evaporation, and leaching of sucrose particles to impart porosity. Biphasic ceramic particles (70% HA/30% βTCP) were added to the PLGA in a 1:1 (w:w) ratio. Scaffolds with SIM received 1% (w:w) of this medication. Scaffolds were synthesized in a disc-shape and sterilized by ethylene oxide. The experimental groups were (G1) PLGA + HA/βTCP and (G2) PLGA + HA/βTCP + SIM in non-osteogenic culture medium, while (G3) SHED and (G4) MC3T3-E1 in osteogenic culture medium were the positive control groups. The release profile of SIM from scaffolds was evaluated. DNA quantification assay, alkaline phosphatase activity, osteocalcin and osteonectin proteins, extracellular calcium detection, von Kossa staining, and X-ray microtomography were performed to assess the capacity of scaffolds to induce the osteogenic differentiation of SHED.

RESULTS

The release profile of SIM followed a non-liner sustained-release rate, reaching about 40% of drug release at day 28. Additionally, G2 promoted the highest osteogenic differentiation of SHED, even when compared to the positive control groups.

CONCLUSIONS

In summary, the osteoinductive capacity of poly(lactic-co-glycolic) acid and biphasic ceramic scaffolds was expressively enhanced by embedding simvastatin.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE

Bone regeneration is still a limiting factor in the success of several approaches to oral and maxillofacial surgeries, though tissue engineering using mesenchymal stem cells, scaffolds, and osteoinductive mediators might collaborate to this topic.

Enhanced Effect of Polyethyleneimine-Modified Graphene Oxide and Simvastatin on Osteogenic Differentiation of Murine Bone Marrow-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells

Statin derivatives traditionally have been used for the treatment of hyperlipidemia, but recent studies have shown their ability to regulate bone metabolism and promote bone growth. In this study, simvastatin (Sim), a new therapeutic candidate for bone regeneration, was combined with graphene oxide (GO), which has recently attracted much interest as a drug delivery method, to produce a compound substance effective for bone regeneration. To create a stable and homogenous complex with Sim, GO was modified with polyethylenimine, and the effect of modification was analyzed using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, zeta potential, and cytotoxicity testing. More specifically, the osteogenic differentiation potential expected by the combination of the two effective materials for osteogenic differentiation, GO and Sim, was evaluated in mesenchymal stem cells. Compared with control groups with GO and Sim used separately, the GO/Sim complex showed excellent osteogenic differentiation properties, with especially enhanced effects in the complex containing < 1 μM Sim.

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.