Effect of simvastatins on differentiation and mineralization of bone marrow stromal cells in rats

Objective: To study the effect of simvastatin on differentiation and mineralization of Bone Marrow Stromal Cells and to explore the mechanism of stimulated bone formation and prevention and treatment of osteoporosis by simvastatin. Methods: Bone marrow cells were isolated from four-week-old Sprague-Dawley rats and cultured in DMEM medium, different concentration of simvastatin (10-9mol/l, 10-8mol/l, 10-7mol/l, 10-6mol/l) on Bone Marrow Stromal Cell were selected. The growth and morphology of cultured cells were observed on a phase-contrast microscope. Alkaline phosphatase activity and Type-I pro-collagen of BMSc were detected. Capacity of mineralization was investigated by counting bone nodules. Results: Compared with control group, alkaline phosphatase activity of BMSc was increased in all treatment groups, and its value was significantly higher in 10-7mol/l group than other treatment groups. Type-I pro-collagen level showed a significant increase in 10-7mol/l and 10-8mol/l group (P0.05) With regard to the capability of mineralization, nodules number was significantly higher in 10-7mol/l group (+44.5% , P0.05) than in other groups. Conclusion: We confirmed that simvastatin promote differentiation and capacity of mineralization of BMSC and contribute to the prevention and treatment of osteoporosis.