The effect of simvastatin on mRNA expression of transforming growth factor-beta1, bone morphogenetic protein-2 and vascular endothelial growth factor in tooth extraction socket

To determine the effect of local simvastatin application on the mRNA expression level of transforming growth factor-beta1 (TGF-beta1), bone morphogenetic protein-2 (BMP-2) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in the tooth sockets of rat. Forty-eight male Wistar rats were randomly divided into experimental and control groups (n = 24). Polylactic acid/polyglycolic acid copolymer carriers, with or without simvastatin, were implanted into extraction sockets of right mandibular incisors. The expression of TGF-beta1, BMP-2 and VEGF mRNA was determined by in situ hybridization in the tooth extraction socket at five days, one week, two weeks and four weeks after implantation. The fusiform stroma cells in the tooth extraction socket began to express TGF-beta1, BMP-2 and VEGF mRNA in both experimental and control groups from one week after tooth extraction until the end of experiment. The expression of TGF-beta1 and BMP-2 mRNA in the experimental group was significantly up-regulated after one, two and four weeks, and expression of VEGF mRNA was significantly increased after one and two weeks compared with that in the control group. The findings indicate that local administration of simvastatin can influence alveolar bone remodeling by regulating the expression of a school of growth factors which are crucial to osteogenesis in the tooth extraction socket.