Bisphosphonate and statin: adverse effects of co-medication on wound healing in in vitro models of periodontal tissues
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.2340/aos.v85.45585Keywords:
Bisphosphonate, alendronate, statin, simvastatin, osteonecrosisAbstract
Objective: Bisphosphonates and statins may influence wound healing and are frequently prescribed to the same patient group. Bisphosphonates may induce osteonecrosis of the jaw; however, little information is available on the cellular mechanisms and biological effects of co-medication in oral tissues. The aim was to assess the effects of alendronate and simvastatin, both alone and combined, on osteoblasts and gingival fibroblasts in vitro.
Study design: Primary human gingival fibroblasts and primary human osteoblasts were incubated with alendronate (5 µM) and simvastatin (1, 5 or 10 µM), alone or combined, for up to 14 days. Cells were assessed for viability by measuring lactate dehydrogenase activity and caspase-3 concentration in the cell culture media. Migration and proliferation potential was assessed by scratch-wound assay. Secreted levels of cytokines/chemokines were measured using Luminex 200 multianalytic profiling.
Results: High concentrations of simvastatin, both alone and combined with alendronate, affected the proliferation/migration potential and reduced scratch closure. The same exposure induced near abolishment of secreted levels of cytokines affecting angiogenesis, such as VEGF, IL-6, IL-8, and MCP-1, however little effect was found on cell viability.
Conclusion: High concentrations of simvastatin, alone or combined with alendronate, may have a negative impact on angiogenetic markers and cell migration/proliferation, affecting wound healing and growth.
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Copyright (c) 2026 Agnes Småland-Reksten, Anne E. Agger, Aina M. Lian, Janne E. Reseland, Tormod B. Krüger
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Acta Odontologica Scandinavica publishes original research papers as well as critical reviews relevant to the diagnosis, epidemiology, health service, prevention, aetiology, pathogenesis, pathology, physiology, microbiology, development and treatment of diseases affecting tissues of the oral cavity and associated structures including papers on cause and effect or explanatory/associative relationships for experimental or observational studies.
