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Osseointegration in arthroplasty: can simvastatin promote bone response to implants?

International Orthopaedics volume 33, pages 855–859 (2009)Cite this article

Abstract

Cementless fixation depends on bone ingrowth for long-term success. Simvastatin as a lipid lowering agent has been demonstrated to have osteoanabolic effects. This study was designed to measure the possible effect of simvastatin on implant osseointegration. Bilateral femoral implantation of titanium cylinders was performed in 20 rabbits. Blood lipid levels were measured pre- and postoperatively. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was used to measure the percentage of the surface of each implant in contact with bone and mechanical pull-out testing was performed. The blood lipid levels were significantly reduced in the simvastatin group. Histomorphometric examination revealed increased bone ingrowth and mechanical examination showed increased interface strength in the simvastatin group. Mechanical and histological data showed superior stability and osseous adaptation at the bone/implant interface for the simvastatin group. We conclude that simvastatin has potential as a means of enhancing bone ingrowth, which is a key factor in the longevity of cementless implants.

Résumé

La fixation d’une prothèse sans ciment dépend de la réhabitation osseuse. La Simvastatine est un agent lipidique qui a un effet ostéo anabolique. Cette étude a pour but de montrer les effets de la Simvastatine sur l’ostéo intégration osseuse. Matériel et méthode : une implantation de cylindres de titane a été réalisée sur les deux fémurs de vingt lapins. Le taux de lipide a été mesuré en pré et post opératoire. L’examen en microscopique électronique a mesuré le pourcentage de la surface de réhabitation et des essais d’arrachage ont également été réalisés. Résultats : le niveau des lipides sanguins est réduit de façon significative dans le groupe de Simvastatine. L’histomorphométrie osseuse montre la croissance, l’orientation de la réhabitation et les tests mécaniques, l’augmentation de l’interface avec augmentation des forces nécessaires pour l’arrachage. En conclusion, les données mécaniques et histologiques montrent une stabilité supérieure dans le groupe Simvastatine. Nous pouvons conclure que la Simvastatine a un potentiel d’augmentation de la réhabitation osseuse facteur clé du succès à long terme des implants sans ciment.

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Acknowledgements

This work was supported by the Scientific Research Projects Fund of Ankara University (project no. 20040809179).

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Affiliations

  1. Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Ankara University School of Medicine, Ankara, Turkey

    Kerem Başarır & Bülent Erdemli

  2. Department of Histology and Embryology, Ankara University School of Medicine, Ankara, Turkey

    Alp Can, Esra Erdemli & Tuğba Zeyrek

  3. Orthopedics and Traumatology Department, İbn’i Sina Hospital, Ankara University Medicine Faculty, 06100, Samanpazarı, Ankara, Turkey

    Kerem Başarır

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  1. Kerem Başarır
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  2. Bülent Erdemli
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Correspondence to Kerem Başarır.

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Başarır, K., Erdemli, B., Can, A. et al. Osseointegration in arthroplasty: can simvastatin promote bone response to implants?. International Orthopaedics (SICOT) 33, 855–859 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00264-007-0490-y

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00264-007-0490-y

Keywords

  • Simvastatin
  • Interface Strength
  • Bone Ingrowth
  • Blood Lipid Level
  • Simvastatin Group