Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 5, 2026
Calvarial Model of Bone Augmentation in Rabbit for Assessment of Bone Growth and Neovascularization in Bone Substitution Materials
Published on: August 13, 2019
Early alveolar bone regeneration in rats after topical administration of simvastatin
Newton Maciel-Oliveira1, Vivian Bradaschia-Correa, Victor E Arana-Chavez
1Division of Oral Biology, School of Dentistry, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.
Objectives:
The aim of this study was to ultrastructurally examine the influence of simvastatin on bone healing in surgically created defects in rat mandibles.
Study Design:
Bone defects 0.8 mm in diameter were created in the buccal aspect of first mandibular molar roots and filled with 2.5% simvastatin gel, while the controls were allowed to heal spontaneously. The rats were humanely killed 7, 9, 11, or 14 days postoperatively, and the specimens were processed for scanning and transmission electron microscopy, as well as for colloidal gold immunolabeling of osteopontin.
Results:
The regenerated alveolar bone in the simvastatin-treated defects presented smaller marrow spaces, and the collagen fibrils were regularly packed exhibiting a lamellar bone aspect. Osteopontin was present through the bone matrix during the wound healing and alveolar bone regeneration.
Conclusion:
The present study provides evidence that a single topical application of 2.5% simvastatin gel improves the quality of the new bone and decreases bone resorption.
