New addition to the statin's effect

Observations in humans and in animal models have shown that statins, besides reducing cholesterol levels and ischemic heart disease, might also reduce the risk of osteoporotic fractures. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of simvastatin on fracture healing in vivo.

Fifty-four rats were randomly assigned to one of three groups: the control group and the groups with two doses of 1 mg/d and 2 mg/d drug injected. We performed a closed fracture by digital manipulation on the distal leg of healthy rats under the ketamine anesthesia. Then, rats were injected one time per day on fracture day and by the following 4 days simvastatin to the fractured area into the subcutaneous tissue. On the 7th, 14th, and 21st days, rats from each group were first killed and then after the histologic observation the tibias were examined under light microscopy. Statistical analyses were performed using SPSS 11.5 package program.

The simvastatin-injected group went through the stages of fracture faster than the control group did and the osteoid parameter was found to be significantly different (p = 0.001). There was no clear variation between different doses.

Simvastatin treatment of the fractured bone showed a significant positive effect on fracture healing. In the simvastatin treatment group the formation and differentiation of osteoprogenitor cells were increased in number and were faster than in the control group. As the formation of new capillaries and calcification increased, the healing of the fracture accelerated.