Simvastatin as a Potential Coadjuvant Agent for Deep Cavity Lining

Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the biological, antimicrobial and mechanical properties involved in the treatment of dentin with simvastatin (SV) before application of glass-ionomer cement (GIC).
Methods: For assessment of SV transdentinal bioactivity, dentin discs (0.1 thick) were adapted to artificial pulp chambers and 1.0 or 2.5 mg/ml SV was applied on the occlusal surface of dentin previously treated or not with EDTA. The culture medium (DMEM) in contact with the pulpal surface of dentin discs (extract) was collected and then applied for 24 h on cultured MDPC-23 cells. Then, 2.5 mg/mL SV (±EDTA) was selected to assess the transdentinal bioactivity of SV followed by application of GIC on dentin (EDTA+SV2.5+GIC). The following cell parameters were analyzed: viability, ALP activity and mineralized nodule deposition (NM). No dentin treatment was used as negative control (NC). The antimicrobial activity of SV was also evaluated on Streptococcus mutans (Sm) and Lactobacillus acidophilus (La). Finally, the microshear bond strength of the GIC to dentin treated with SV 2.5 mg/ml (±EDTA) wa±s determined. Data were submitted to ANOVA/Tukey test’s (α=5%).
Results: Enhanced ALP activity and NM deposition occurred when dentin was treated with SV 2.5 mg/ml (±EDTA) compared to NC (p<0.05), with no change in the cell viability (p>0.05). EDTA+SV2.5+GIC protocol caused the most intense expression of odontoblastic phenotypic markers by the MDPC-23 cells (p<0.05). Both concentrations of SV featured antimicrobial activity on Sm and La (p<0.05). Finally, treatment of dentin with EDTA+SV resulted in significantly higher bond strength values compared to SV treatment only (p<0.05).
Conclusions: It was concluded that SV has antimicrobial activity and its application on EDTA-treated dentin followed by GIC placement increases the expression of odontoblastic phenotypic markers by MDPC-23 cells and improves the bond strength of this dental material with dentin.