Abstract
Statins increase bone morphogenetic protein-2 (BMP-2) mRNA expression and subsequently increase new bone formation in vitro. However, the action of statins on the BMP-2 mRNA regulation of cartilage matrix synthesis by chondrocytes is unknown. We evaluated regulation of BMP-2, aggrecan, and type II collagen (COL2) mRNA and 35S-labeled proteoglycan (PG) synthesis by mevastatin using cultured chondrocytes obtained from articular cartilage of fetal rats. Expression of BMP-2, aggrecan, and COL2 mRNAs were increased in the presence of 2 µM mevastatin on day 2. However, longer (10 day) culture in the presence of the drug decreased the expression of these mRNAs. PG synthesis was increased 3 days after treating the cells with mevastatin, which was also decreased with longer (10 day) mevastatin treatment. These results suggest that mevastatin increases mRNA expression of BMP-2, aggrecan, and COL2 as well as PG synthesis by fetal rat chondrocytes early in the treatment period. We suggest that statins have implications for fracture and cartilage repair.
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Hatano, H., Maruo, A., Bolander, M. et al. Statin stimulates bone morphogenetic protein-2, aggrecan, and type 2 collagen gene expression and proteoglycan synthesis in rat chondrocytes. J Orthop Sci 8, 842–848 (2003). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00776-003-0724-9
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00776-003-0724-9