2005 Volume 2 Issue 2 Pages 81-85
It has been reported that simvastatin, which is a cholesterol synthesis inhibitor and a therapeutic drug for hypercholesteremia, stimulates bone morphogenetic protein 2 expression in osteoblasts, suggesting potentiality of simvastatin in local bone augmentation. We prepared bovine atelo-collagen or calcium sulfate containing simvastatin and applied these materials to the rat lower incisor sockets. After 4 weeks, the bone of the extracted site was examined radiographically and histologically. Calcium sulfate containing simvastatin remarkably increased the thickness of the alveolar bone. This effect was not observed when simvastatin alone was applied or when atelo-collagen was used as a drug carrier. Although further studies are required, the present results indicate that simvastatin augments bone around tooth socket, which is carrier-dependent.
