Histologic and ultrastructural study on statin graft in rabbit skulls

Abstract

Purpose: To study the early healing pattern of statin-induced osteogenesis, we examined the early histologic and ultrastructural pictures of bone defect healing with and without statin. Materials and Methods: Twenty-eight bone defects were created in the parietal bone of 14 New Zealand White rabbits. In the Statin Group of 7 rabbits, the defects were grafted with collagen matrix carriers mixed with statin solution. In the Collagen Matrix Group of 7 rabbits, the defects were grafted with collagen matrix carriers mixed with water for injection. The Statin Group and the Collagen Matrix Group were killed on day 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, or 14 after surgery. Bone defects with surrounding tissues were prepared for histologic assessment. Bone defects of day 14 were also prepared for ultrastructural assessment. Results: New bone was formed on day 5 in the defects grafted with statin. No cartilage intermediate stage was detected. This occurred 1 day earlier than for those grafted with the carrier alone. The bone defects of day 14 showed that an abundance of bone was formed in the Statin Group and osteocytes were identified ultrastructurally. Conclusions: This study supported statin-induced and accelerated bone formation locally. © 2005 American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons.