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Locally applied simvastatin promotes fracture healing in ovariectomized rat

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Abstract

Summary

Simvastatin solution was injected subcutaneously to the site of fractured tibiae of ovariectomized rats. Afterwards healing quality was evaluated by morphologic, radiographic, biomechanical, histological and histomorphometric methods at 1, 2 and 4 weeks after fracture. Results showed that locally applied simvastatin improved fracture healing.

Introduction

Many studies have documented an anabolic effect of hydroxymethylglutaryl coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase inhibitors, statins, on undisturbed bone. Reports of their effects, however, on fractured skeletal sytems have been limited. A study was, therefore, conducted to check the effects of statins on fracture healing.

Methods

Simvastatin (10 mg/kg/day) was injected subcutaneously to tissue overlying the site of fractured tibiae of ovariectomized rats for a treatment period of 5 days. Vehicle reagent was used as a control. Healing quality was evaluated at 1, 2 and 4 weeks after fracture.

Results

Compared with that in the vehicle group, the callus cross-section area in simvastatin-treated rats was significantly enlarged by 21.3% (p < 0.05) at 1 week and by 21.5% (p < 0.05) at 2 weeks; new woven bone was relatively substantive and arranged more tightly and regularly at 2 and 4 weeks; and maximal load was increased by 57.5% (p < 0.05) at 2 weeks and by 31.4% (p < 0.05) at 4 weeks. Histomorphometrically, simvastatin was associated with a significant (p < 0.05) increase of mineralization width (MLW), mineralization volume (MLV) and mineral apposition rate (MAR).

Conclusion

The current study suggests that local application of simvastatin could promote fracture healing in ovariectomized rats.

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Acknowledgments

This study was supported by The Provincial Health Bureau of Zhejiang Province, China. Fund number: 491020-I 40206.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Orthopaedics, the Second Affiliated Hospital, Medical School of Zhejiang University, No.88, Jiefang Road, Hangzhou, China , 310009

    J. W. Wang, S. W. Xu & D. S. Yang

  2. Lab of Critical Care Medicine, the Second Affiliated Hospital, Medical School of Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China , 310009

    S. W. Xu

  3. Lab of Material Strength, College of Mechanics and Energy Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China , 310009

    R. K. Lv

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  1. J. W. Wang
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Correspondence to S. W. Xu.

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Wang, J.W., Xu, S.W., Yang, D.S. et al. Locally applied simvastatin promotes fracture healing in ovariectomized rat. Osteoporos Int 18, 1641–1650 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00198-007-0412-2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00198-007-0412-2

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