LAUSR

BACKGROUND Enhancement of the bone regenerative capacity of the bone substitutes could be achieved by incorporating bioactive agents such as proteins, and different drugs. Simvastatin, an inhibitor of cholesterol synthesis, stimulate bone formation by enhancing the expression of bone morphogenetic protein-2 (BMP-2) in osteoblasts. OBJECTIVE The objective of the study is to evaluate bone regeneration following simvastatin loaded nano hydroxyapatite scaffold in the bone defect created on the femoral condyle of rabbits. METHODS Twelve adult, New Zealand white rabbits were used in the study. Twenty-four defects of size 5 x8 mm were crated on the lateral aspect of the femoral condyle. The defects were filled with either nano hydroxyapatite (nHA) particles alone and nHA with Simvastatin (SIM). The condyles were retrieved after 8 weeks and analyzed using micro CT and histology. RESULTS The bone mineral density (BMD) was significantly higher for the defects filled with SIM loaded nHA compared to the nHA site. Micro CT showed a significantly higher bone volume in the defects filled with Simvastatin loaded site compared to the control site. Quantitative analysis of the histologic sections also showed significantly higher bone volume in the defects filled with SIM loaded nHA (57.2±4.8) compared to nHA alone (50.1±5.5). CONCLUSION Based on the results it can be concluded that local delivery of simvastatin enhanced the bone regeneration in rabbit femoral condyle. Simvastatin could be used as an activator to enhance bone regeneration in bone defects along with hydroxyapatite ceramics.