Simvastatin induces in vitro mineralization effects of primary human odontoblast-like cells

Abstract

Simvastatin (SV) is an often prescribed statin reducing the LDL-concentration in circulating blood. The aim of this study was to evaluate the pleiotropic effects of SV to primary human odontoblast-like cells. Twenty four wisdom teeth of different subjects were extracted and the pulp tissue was removed and minced under sterile conditions. After mincing, the requested cells were passaged according to established protocols. Osteoblastic marker (ALP conversion), viability and mineralization were determined at days 14, 17 and 21 after simvastatin exposition (0.01 µM, 0.1 µM, 1.0 µM, 2.0 µM). The sample size per group was 24 cultures with three replicates per culture for ALP-conversion and mineralization and 6 replicates for viability. A Kruskal–Wallis test was used for statistical analysis. After adding SV, viability was significantly (p < 0.01) decreased in a time-and dose-dependent manner, whereas after 21 days, mineralization was significant (p <0.01). ALP-conversion in groups with SV concentrations of 1 and 2 µM SV was significantly (p < 0.01) increased. Pleiotropic effects regarding mineralization in higher SV concentrations were possibly induced via alternative mineralization pathways as almost equal elevations of ALP conversion were not evident in the control and experimental groups.