Bone Induction by α-tricalcium Phosphate Microparticle Emulsion Containing Simvastatin

• Published in: Nano Biomedicine Vol. 9; no. 2; pp. 69 - 76
• Main Authors: TATEYAMA, Akito, KATO, Akihito, MIYAJI, Hirofumi, NISHIDA, Erika, IWASAKI, Yasuhiko, FUJII, Syuji, KAWAMOTO, Kohei, SHITOMI, Kanako, FURIHATA, Tomokazu, MAYUMI, Kayoko, SUGAYA, Tsutomu
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Nano Biomedical Society 30.12.2017
• Subjects: bone paste; bone tissue engineering; simvastatin; water-oil emulsion; α-tricalcium phosphate (TCP)
• ISSN: 1883-5198; 2185-4734
• DOI: 10.11344/nano.9.69

To improve the degradability and operability of conventional bone graft materials, we fabricated a water-oil emulsion based on α-tricalcium phosphate (α-TCP) bone paste. Simvastatin, a lipophilic hyperlipidemia treatment agent, reportedly enhances the expression of bone morphogenetic protein-2 and subsequent bone formation. Accordingly, we assessed the bone forming effects of α-TCP bone-paste containing simvastatin in rat cranial bone defects.Bone paste exhibited porous structure and generation of hydroxyapatite after solidification. X-ray image analysis and histological examination were carried out after implantation of bone paste into rat skull defect. The results showed that new bone was formed after implantation of bone paste containing simvastatin. In particular, bone volume in the 0.1 mg simvastatin group was significantly promoted when compared to controls (no implantation). No bone paste residue was observed in the bone defect at 4 weeks after surgery. Therefore, α-TCP bone paste containing simvastatin is degradable and beneficial for bone tissue engineering.