Abstract:

BACKGROUND: Studies have shown that statins can stimulate the bone regeneration.
ONJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of simvastatin/methylcellulose gel on bone regeneration after grade Ⅱ furcation of alveolar defects in miniature pigs.
METHODS: Grade Ⅱ furcation of alveolar defects model were produced in 32 teeth (the third and fourth premolars) of miniature pigs. The 32 experimental teeth were divided into five groups: the low-, middle- and high-dose simvastatin/methylcellulose gel groups were injected with 0.01, 0.03 and 0.044 g/mL simvastatin/methylcellulose gel 50 μL into the furcation sites; the control group was injected with 50 μL simvastatin/methylcellulose gel into the furcation sites once a week and lasted for 8 weeks; the blank control group had no treatment.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: Compared with the control group and blank control group, the height of the alveolar bone in the furcation sites of low-, middle- and high-dose simvastatin/methylcellulose gel groups were increased (P < 0.001), and the furcation sites were filled with the new alveolar bone, the trabecular was in the network structure and the mature Harvard’s system. The maturity of the new alveolar bone in the low-dose simvastatin/methylcellulose gel group was higher than that in the middle- and high-dose simvastatin/methylcellulose gel groups with less inflammatory cell infiltration. Little new alveolar bone could be seen in the control group and blank control group. Local application of simvastatin/methylcellulose gel can stimulate the regeneration of alveolar bone in furcation defect sites and the best dose of simvastatin/methylcellulose gel is 0.01 g/mL.