Dental Implants Research Today is a free monthly online journal that collates and summarizes the latest research about Dental Implants, including details on dentistry, surgery, tooth implants.

Topical application of statin affects bone healing around implants.

Moriyama Y, Ayukawa Y, Ogino Y, Atsuta I, Koyano K

Division of Oral Rehabilitation, Faculty of Dental Science Higashi-ku, Fukuoka, Japan.

OBJECTIVES: 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase inhibitors (statins) are widely used for hyperlipidemia. Recent studies demonstrate that statins stimulate bone morphogenetic protein-2 expression and lead to bone formation. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether the topical application of statin enhances the osteogenesis around a titanium implant. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Ten-week-old female rats received pure titanium rods in both tibiae with or without fluvastatin. Propylene glycol alginate (PGA) was used as a carrier. The rats were divided into five groups: implant-only group, implant with PGA group, low-dose group [implant+PGA containing 3 microg of fluvastatin (FS)], medium-dose group (15 microg of FS), and high-dose group (75 microg of FS). The animals were sacrificed at 1 and 2 weeks after implantation. Peri-implant bone formation was assessed by histomorphometric procedures, i.e., measuring the bone-implant contact (BIC) and peri-implant bone volume (BV). A mechanical push-out test was also performed to evaluate the implant fixation strength. Statistical differences among the groups were determined by ANOVA and P < 0.05 was considered significant. RESULTS: At week 1, there was no significant difference in BIC among the groups, however, BV and the push-out strength were significantly higher in the high-dose group than in the implant-only group. At week 2, BIC and BV had significantly increased in the high-dose group in comparison with the non-statin groups. The fluvastatin-treatment group showed a significant increase in push-out strength compared with the non-statin groups. CONCLUSION: Our histomorphometrical and mechanical evaluations revealed the positive effect of topically applied fluvastatin on the bone around the implant.

Published 13 May 2008 in Clin Oral Implants Res, 19(6): 600-5.
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