Effects of Simvastatin on the proliferation and osteoblastic differentiation of human periodontal ligament cells

Objective:To study the effects of Simvastatin on the proliferation and osteoblastic differentiation of human periodontal ligament(PDL) cells.Methods:The fourth passage human PDLs were cultured in conditioned mineralization medium with different concentrations of Simvastatin.Proliferation ability was detected by MTT method.Alkaline phosphatase(ALP) activity was measured with 4-nitrophenyl phosphate hexahydrate(PNPP) assay.Results:Proliferation and osteoblastic differentiation of human PDLs were increased in all treatment groups with different concentrations of Simvastatin(10-9,10-8,10-7,10-6 mol/L).Compared with control group,significant statistical difference was found in 10-8 mol/L,10-7 mol/L and 10-6 mol/L groups(P0.05).The maximum effect was observed at the concentration of 10-7 mol/L.Conclusion:Optimal concentration of Simvastatin can improve the proliferation and osteoblastic differentiation of human PDLs.