Combination of simvastatin and hydroxyapatite fiber induces bone augmentation

This study evaluated the capability of hydroxyapatite fiber (HAF) as a carrier and the bone formation by blending simvastatin. The mixture of HAF and simvastatin (0.15, 0.45, 0.75 mg) was placed in 1 ml of tris-buffer and the release of simvastatin from HAF was calculated per 24 hours for 10 days. Bilateral 5 mm-diameter and 3 mm-hight Teflon chambers were fixed on calvaria of adult Japanese white rabbits and filled with 40 mg HAF which containing simvastatin (0, 0.15, 0.45, 0.75 mg). The animals were sacrificed at 4 and 8 weeks and calculated radiologically by Micro-CT. After dyeing by toluidine blue the samples were analyzed histologically. In all of the study groups approximately 25% of simvastatin was released until 10 days. The new bone volume ratio measured by Micro-CT of 4 and 8 weeks group was (22.4%, 21.3%, 41.6%, 26.3%) and (20.2%, 11.7%, 42.1%, 31.2%) in different doses respectively. The 0.45 mg group showed significantly higher new bone volume ratio than 0 mg group and 0.15 mg group. The histological measurement and observations also supported these results. In conclusion, the HAF could be used as a carrier for simvastatin. Combinations of HAF and simvastatin have the potentiality to stimulate new bone formation and approximately 0.45 mg simvastatin in 40 mg HAF is the optimal dose in rabbit chamber model.