The effect of simvastatin drug on osteogenesis around titanium implant (radiographic and histomorphometric analysis)

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Professor, Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Faculty of Oral and Dental Medicine, Boys, Cairo Al-Azhar University

2 Professor, Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Dean of Faculty of Oral and Dental Medicine, Boys, Cairo Al-Azhar University

3 Dentist, Alexandria Dental Research Center, Egyptian Ministry of Health

Abstract

Understanding the feature of bone repair and osseointegration may aid in the development of therapeutics to improve implant outcomes. Statins are cholesterol-lowering drugs that have been reported to promote bone formation. The purpose of this investigation is to determine the effect of simvastatin drug on the enhancement of bone formation around titanium implants. Sixty male Sprague Dawely rats ranging in weight between 200-300 grams received pure titanium implants in the tibiae. The animals divided into A, B and C groups, A and B groups were intra-peritoneally administered 5 and 10 mg/ kg of simvastatin daily respectively. Animals of Group C were injected with isotonic saline. A, B and C groups were subdivided into 1, 2, 3 and 4 subgroups according to injection periods. After 4weeks, the animals were sacrificed, and specimens were prepared. Bone density in the medullary canal and percentage of cortical bone were obtained using cone-beam radiograph. Bone density of both groups A and B were significantly greater than those of the C group. Histomorphometric analysis to the specimens showed that statin increased bone formation in animals of group A and B more than those of group C. In conclusion, a simvastatin dose of 5 mg/ kg or higher increased medullary bone formation around the titanium implant.