Stimulation of Bone Formation in Vitro and in Rodents by Statins

TLDR

Osteoporosis and related bone‑loss disorders pose a significant public health challenge. The study aims to evaluate statins as a potential therapeutic for osteoporosis at appropriate doses. Statins increased bone formation in vitro and in rodents, linked to upregulation of BMP‑2, with lovastatin and simvastatin boosting calvarial bone in mice and cancellous bone volume in rats.

Abstract

Osteoporosis and other diseases of bone loss are a major public health problem. Here it is shown that the statins, drugs widely used for lowering serum cholesterol, also enhance new bone formation in vitro and in rodents. This effect was associated with increased expression of the bone morphogenetic protein–2 ( BMP-2 ) gene in bone cells. Lovastatin and simvastatin increased bone formation when injected subcutaneously over the calvaria of mice and increased cancellous bone volume when orally administered to rats. Thus, in appropriate doses, statins may have therapeutic applications for the treatment of osteoporosis.