OBJECTIVE: To study the effect of simvastatin on the expression of bone morphogenetic protein-2 (BMP-2) and alkaline phosphates (ALP) activity in the primary cultured bone marrow stromal cells, and to elucidate the mechanism of the anabolic osteogenetic effect of simvastatin. METHODS: Bone marrow stromal cells in femur and tibia of adult mouse were cultured in vitro. after treated with different concentrations of simvastatin (0, 0.1, 0.2, 0.5 and 1.0 mumol/L) or recombinant human BMP-2 for 72 hours, ALP activity of bone marrow stromal cells was determined. BMP-2 expression of bone marrow stromal cells was analyzed by using immunocytochemistry and Western blotting. RESULTS: After treated with simvastatin for 72 hours, BMP-2 expression increased, while little BMP-2 expression could be observed in the control group. ALP activity also increased in a dose-dependent manner; t-test showed that ALP activity in the group which concentrations of simvastatin were 0.5 mumol/L (t = 2.35, P = 0.041), 1.0 mumol/L (t = 2.348, P = 0.041) had significant difference when compared with control group. CONCLUSION: Simvastatin lead to high expression of BMP-2 in bone marrow stromal cells, via the increased auto- or para-crine of BMP-2, and ALP activity increased. These may be parts of the mechanism on the anabolic osteogenetic effect of simvastatin.
Objective To evaluate the effectiveness and safety of simvastatin 40 mg daily use in treatment of coronary heart disease. Methods The study was designed as before-after study in the same patients. One hundred and sixty seven patients with coronary heart disease were prescribed simvastatin 40 mg daily for 3 and 6 months. Total cholestero (TC), low-density lipoproteins cholesterol (LDL-C), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), triglycerldes (TG), ALT and creatine kinase (CK) in serum before therapy and at the end of 3 months and 6 months treatment were dectected. Continuous data were analyzed by standard difference of blocked randomization and described by mean±SD. Dunnet-t test was used for multiple comparison of trial and control groups. Statistical difference was set up at P＜0.05. Success rate was assessed by chi square test at the end of 3 and 6 months treatment. Results Simvastatin 40 mg/d significantly decreased the level of TC (P＜0.000 5), LDL-C (P＜0.000 5), TG (P＜0.05), and could elevate HDL-C (P＜0.05). There were 39.5% of patients whose LDL-C reduced below 70 mg/dl. One patient whose CK raised 5.6 times of upper line of normal range and 4 patients whose ALT raised more than 2 times of upper line of normal range withdrew. The reliability of simvastatin 40 mg/d was relatively good. Conclusions Simvastatin 40 mg/d could significantly improve the lipid profile, and is relatively reliable in treatment of coronary heart disease.
Objective To investigate the effects of simvastatin on the collagen synthesis of rat pulmonary arterial smooth muscle cells ( PASMCs ) induced by hypoxia. Methods Under hypoxic condition, rat PASMCs were cultured with different concentrations of simvastatin. Collagen synthesis of PASMCs with or without simvastatin were measured by 3H-proline incorporation assay. The mRNA expression of TGF-β1 and the contents of super oxide dismrtase ( SOD) ,malondialdehyde ( MDA) in mediumwere also measured. Results The incorporation data of 3H-TdR in the hypoxia group was significantly increased as compared with that in the control group ( P lt;0. 01) , and simvastatin significantly reduced the incorporation data of 3H-TdR induced by hypoxia. The expression of TGF-β1 mRNA in the hypoxia group was significantly increased as compared with that in the control group ( P lt; 0. 01 ) , and simvastatin could significantly inhibited hypoxia-induced expression of TGF-β1 mRNA in a dose-dependent manner. Compared with the hypoxia group, the expression of TGF-β1 mRNA decreased by 55% in simvastatin( 10 - 6mol /L) group ( P lt; 0. 01) , and by 70% ( P lt; 0. 01) in simvastatin ( 10 - 5mol /L) group. Compared with the control group, the activity of SOD was reduced and the contents of MDA were increased significantly in the hypoxia group. Simvastatin can increase the activity of SOD and reduced the content of MDA in a dose-dependent manner. Conclusions Simvastatin can decreases collagen synthesis of PASMCs. This effect might be explained that simvastatin can reduce lipid peroxide and expression of TGF-β1 mRNA.
Objective To find an ideal material for repairing bone defect by local implanting simvastatin compounded with poly-lactic acid (PLA) into the radial critical size defects of rabbits, and to observe the reparative effect and type of bone formation induced by simvastatin. Methods Twelve 4-months-old male New Zealand white rabbits (2.3-2.8 kg) with 22 mm radial critical size defects on both sides were randomized into 4 groups (all n=3). Right side and left side of every rabbit were set as controls with each other. The left defects (experimental groups) of groups A, B, and C were implanted with cyl inder-l ike compound scaffolds containing 50, 100, and 200 mg of simvastatin (fixed with 250 mg PLA), or auto-bonegraft as group D, respectively. The right defects of groups A, B, and C were implanted with scaffolds containing only 250 mg PLA. The right defects of group D were left without any treatment. Digital X-ray images of bone defects were taken 8 and 16 weeks after operation, X-ray was scored double bl ind and X-ray pixel value was measured. Animals were euthanized16 weeks postoperatively. CT was appl ied to analyze new bone formation volume in the defects. In addition, orphologicalcharacters of new bones were observed through micro-CT and histology. Results X-ray films showed that the bone defect of each experimental side had much cloud-l ike callus, and the bone stump were not clear 8 weeks after operation; and the cortex in the defect was continuous and the medullary was recanal ized 16 weeks after operation. In control sides, the cortexes were discontinuous and the ends of fractures were sclerified. At 8 and 16 weeks after operation, the X-ray scores, pixel values and the CT volume percentage of new bone in experiment sides were all significantly higher than those in control sides (P lt; 0.05). The X-ray scores of experimental sides in groups C and D were significantly higher than those in groups A and B 8 weeks after operation (P lt; 0.05), and the X-ray scores of experimental sides in groups B and D were significantly higher than those in groups A and C 16 weeks after operation (P lt; 0.05). The X-ray pixel values of experimental sides of group B were significantly higher than those of groups A, C, and D 8 weeks after operation (P lt; 0.05). The new bone formation volume of experimental side of groups B and D was higher than that of groups A and C (P lt; 0.05), and group D was significantly higher than that of group B (P lt; 0.05). Micro-CT showed bone defects of experimental sides of group B had totally healed, with connected medullary cavities and continuous bone cortex, on the contrary bone defects of control sides of group B did not healed completely. Histological observation showed better bone remodeling effects of the experimental sides than control sides, with connected medullary cavities and continuous bone cortex. And the osteogenetic type was endochondral ossification. Conclusion Local implantation of simvastatin can promote repairing rabbit radial critical bone defect, 100 mg is the best dose of repairing the bone defects.
Objective To evaluate the mechanisms of p42/p44 kinase phosphorylation in cell models and to investigate the effect of simvastatin on the prevention and treatment of aseptic loosening of prosthesis by observing the influence of simvastatin on the levels of tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) and monocyte chemoattractant protein 1 (MCP-1) of human peri pheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC) challenged with titanium particles. Methods PBMC from 45 mL peripheral blood of healthy adult voluntary donators, were separated and cultured, and divided into 5 groups according to different culturemedium: group A, PBMC and titanium particles; group B, PBMC and titanium particles with 1 × 10-5 mol/L simvastatin; group C, PBMC and titanium particles with 1 × 10-6 mol/L simvastatin; group D, PBMC and titanium particles with 1 × 10-7 mol/L simvastatin; and group E, PBMC and titanium particles with the extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK1/2) inhibitor U0126. The contents of TNF-α and MCP-1 were tested by ELISA after 24 hours of culture. PBMC were pretreated with different medium grouping as groups A, B, C, D, and E for 60 minutes, and were challenged with titanium particles for 30 minutes and 60 minutes, then the level of ERK1/2 expression was tested by Western blot. Results In groups A, B, C, D, and E, the absorbance (A) values of TNF-α were 1.115 5 ± 0.243 6, 0.693 6 ± 0.354 3, 0.695 7 ± 0.387 3, 0.716 4 ± 0.478 9, and 0.263 5 ± 0.101 6, respectively; and the A values of MCP-1 were 1.421 0 ± 0.105 3, 0.915 1 ± 0.411 3, 1.003 5 ± 0.464 2, 1.102 0 ± 0.353 9, and 0.271 3 ± 0.145 1, respectively. The levels of TNF-α and MCP-1 in group A were significantly higher than others, showing significant differences (P lt; 0.05). There were significant differences between group E and groups B, C, and D (P lt; 0.05), between group B and groups C, D (P lt; 0.05); no significant difference between group C and group D (P gt; 0.05). Western blot results showed the expression of ERK1/2 in all groups at 30 minutes and 60 minutes of culture. The levels of ERK1/2 expression were 1.612 1 ± 0.068 2, 1.078 1 ± 0.072 8, 1.268 7 ± 0.223 1, 1.439 7 ± 0.180 1, and 0.732 0 ± 0.110 4 in groups A, B, C, D, and E, respectively; showing significant differences between groups (P lt; 0.05). Conclusion ERK1/2 is a phosphorylated protein after stimulated by wear particles; it is also one of the most important cell signal ing activation of macrophage. Simvastatin can inhibit the expression of bone absorptive factors induced by wear particles and may be used in the prevention and treatment of aseptic loosening of prosthesis.
Objective To assess the effectiveness and safety of nine lipid-lowing agents in the national essential drug list (2000) and provide evidence for the adjustment and selection of essential drugs. Methods Based on principles of health technology assessment (HTA) and evidence-based medicine, we searched for all published clinical studies about these drugs from the following databases: MEDLINE (1966-2002.8), The Cochrane Library, EMBASE (1974-2002), CBMdisk (1979-2002.8) and VIP (1989-2002.8), the database of National Center for Adverse Drug Reaction(ADR) Monitoring of China and the database of WHO Uppsala drug monitoring center. Included studies were appraised, analyzed and compared for the reduction of triglyceride (TC) or low density lipoprotein (LDL-C), the prevention for the coronary events and the incidence of ADR. Results The results from comparative trials for lipid-lowing agents showed that the equivalent dose of statins for 25% reduction of LDL-C was atorvastatin 10 mg/d, simvastatin 20 mg/d, pravastatin 40mg/d, lovastatin 40 mg/d, cerivastatin 0.3 mg/d and fluvastatin 80 mg/d. It was difficult to compare fenofibrate with gemfibrozil, acipimox with statins or fibrates based on available data. The study on the primary and secondary prevention of cardiovascular events showed that pravastatin and lovastatin were effective in primary prevention, and long-term use could reduce the incidence of cardiovascular disease.Gemfibrozil could reduce the mortality from coronary heart disease (CHD) but the overall mortality was not changed. Pravastatin, simvastatin, atorvastatin, fluvastatin, gemfibrozil and fenofibrate had a confirmed effect in secondary prevention. Data from large-scale clinical trials and the reports from ADR monitoring center of England, America, Canada and Australia suggested that the statins which had rare ADR were safe and tolerated. Rhabdomyolysis was rare but had a serious adverse reaction associated with statins. The rate of fatal rhabdomyolysis related to cerivastatin was the highest among 6 statins. The safety of simvastatin, lovastatin and atorvastatin was lower than cerivastatin but higher than simvastatin and atorvastatin. The number of ADR reports of fenofibrate was fewer than that of gemfibrozil. Conclusions At present, the best evidence focused on pravastatin, simvastatin and lovastatin are widely used and have a confirmed safety and efficacy. Atorvastatin, fluvastatin and fenofibrate still need more data to confirm their effects on coronary heart disease prevention. The drugs which were shown to be inferior or insufficient evidence are cerivastatin, gemfibrozil and acipimox.
Objective To investigate the preventive effect of simvastatin，a 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase inhibitor，on hypoxic pulmonary hypertension and the relation between it and the angiotensin Ⅱ receptor-1（AT1R） expression in pulmonary arteriole.Methods Thirty male Sprague-Drawley rats were randomly allocated into three groups：a control group，a hypoxic group and a simvastatin preventive group.The animal model of hypoxic pulmonary hypertension was established by exposing the rats to normobaric hypoxic condition（8 h×6 d×3 w），and the preventive group were treated with simvastatin 10 mg/kg before hypoxic processing while the control and hypoxic groups were treated with sodium chloride.The mean pulmonary pressure（mPAP），serum cholesterol concentration，right ventricular hypertrophy index [RV/（LV+S）]，percentage of the wall thickness in the external diameter（WT%），percentage of the wall area in the total vascular area（WA%），and the AT1R expression in pulmonary arterioles were measured.Results When compared with the hypoxic group，in the preventive group，the mPAP and RV/（LV+S）obviously reduced [（22.6±3.86）mm Hg vs （29.3±2.27）mm Hg，（25.13±0.75）% vs （33.18±1.58）%，Plt;0.01 respectively]，the indices of wall thickness of rat pulmonary arteriole and area also decreased significantly [WT%：（15.98±1.96）% vs （25.14±1.85）%；WA%：（54.60±3.94）% vs 74.77±4.52）%；Plt;0.01 respectively]，and the positive degree of AT1R still lessened noticeably（1.23±0.09 vs 1.57±0.13，Plt;0.01）.All of the indices above in the hypoxic group increased markedly compared with the control group（Plt;0.01 respectively）.However，the differences of serum cholesterol among three groups were not significant（Pgt;0.05）.Conclusions Simvastatin can suppress the expression of AT1R in pulmonary vessel and prevent hypoxic pulmonary hypertension.
ObjectiveTo systematically review the efficacy and safety of simvastatin and its different doses in the adjunct therapy of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).MethodsPubMed, EMbase, Web of Science, The Cochrane Library, CNKI, WanFang Data, CBM and VIP databases were electronically searched to collect randomized controlled trials (RCTs) on adjunct therapy of simvastatin in patients with COPD from inception to May 15th, 2020. Two reviewers independently screened literature, extracted data and assessed risk bias of included studies; then, meta-analysis was performed by using Stata 14.0 software.ResultsA total of 22 RCTs involving 2 377 patients were included. The results of meta-analysis showed that treatment with 20 mg simvastatin could improve FEV1%pred, FEV1/FVC, and reduce inflammatory indexes such as CRP, hs-CRP, IL-8 and TNF-α, while 40 mg failed to improve. Simvastatin could reduce COPD score (CAT), but failed to increase the 6-minute walking distance or alleviate acute exacerbation.ConclusionsCurrent evidence shows that treatment with 20 mg simvastatin can improve pulmonary function, reduce inflammatory index and optimize CAT score in COPD patients, but it cannot increase the 6-minute walking distance and reduce the number of acute exacerbations of COPD. Due to the limited quantity and quality of included studies, the above conclusions are needed to be verified by more high-quality studies.
Objective To investigate the effects of simvastatin on monocrotaline-induced pulmonary hypertension in rats, and explore the potential mechanism of simvastatin by blocking heme oxygenase-1( HO-1) expression. Methods 52 male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into five groups, ie. a control group, a simvastatin control group, a pulmonary hypertension model group, a simvastatin treatment group, a ZnPP ( chemical inhibitor of HO) group. Mean pulmonary arterial pressure ( mPAP) and right ventricular systolic pressure ( RVSP) were detected by right heart catheter at 5th week. Right ventricular hypertrophy index ( RVHI) was calculated as the right ventricle to the left ventricle plus septum weight. Histopathology changes of small intrapulmonary arteries were evaluated via image analysis system.Immunohistochemical analysis was used to investigate the expression and location of HO-1. HO-1 protein level in lung tissue were determined by western blot. Results Compared with the model group, simvastatin treatment decreased mPAP and RVHI significantly [ ( 35. 63 ±5. 10) mm Hg vs. ( 65. 78 ±15. 51) mm Hg,0. 33 ±0. 05 vs. 0. 53 ±0. 06, both P lt; 0. 05 ] . Moreover, simvastatin treatment partially reversed the increase of arterial wall area and arterial wall diameter [ ( 50. 78 ±9. 03 ) % vs. ( 65. 92 ±7. 19) % ,( 43. 75 ±4. 23) % vs. ( 52. 00 ±5. 35) % , both P lt; 0. 01) . In the model group, HO-1 staining was primarily detected in alveolar macrophages. Simvastatin treatment increased HO-1 protein expression significantly, especially in the thickened smooth muscle layer and alveolar macrophages. Inhibiting HO-1 expression using ZnPP resulted in a loss of the effects of simvastatin. mPAP in the ZnPP group was ( 52. 88±17. 45) mm Hg, while arterial wall area and arterial wall diameter were ( 50. 78 ±9. 03) % and ( 52. 00 ±5. 35) % , respectively. Conclusions Simvastatin attenuates established pulmonary arterial hypertension andpulmonary artery remodeling in monocrotaline-induced pulmonary hypertension rats. The effect of simvastatin is associated with HO-1.
Objective To investigate the effects of simvastatin on pulmonary function and vascular endothelial growth factor ( VEGF) levels in induced sputumof patients with COPD exacerbation( AECOPD) .Methods Thirty-eight patients with AECOPD were divided into two groups randomly, ie. a routine medical treatment( RT) group( n =30) and a routine + statin medical treatment( RST) group( n =28) . The VEGF levels in serumand induced sputum were detected by ELISA on the first day and after a week treatment in hospital, respectively. Meanwhile, the pulmonary function measurements were performed. Results There were no significant differences in the pulmonary function ( FEV1% pred and FEV1 /FVC) and VEGF levels in induced sputumbetween the two groups before treatment( P gt;0. 05) . The RT group showed no significantchanges in any parameters before and after a week treatment( P gt; 0. 05) . FEV1% pread, FEV1 /FVC and VEGF levels in induced sputum in the RST group after a week treatment significantly increased compared with those before treatment and the RT group( P lt;0. 01, P lt;0. 01, P lt;0. 05) . But There were no significant differences in serumVEGF levels between the two groups before and after a week treatment. The VEGF levels in induced sputum were positively correlated to FEV1% pread and FEV1 /FVC after a week treatment( r =0. 430, P lt;0. 05; r = 0. 388, P lt; 0. 05) . Conclusions Simvastatin may reduce the decline in pulmonary function and decrease the levels of VEGF in induced sputum of patients with AECOPD. Improvement in pulmonary function may be related to down-expression of lung VEGF