Effect of Statins with α-Tricalcium Phosphate on Proliferation, Differentiation, and Mineralization of Human Dental Pulp Cells

Introduction The aim of this study was to investigate the combined effect of statin and α-tricalcium phosphate (α-TCP) on odontoblastic differentiation of human dental pulp cells and to compare them with mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA). Methods Experimental cements were prepared with TCP containing simvastatin and atorvastatin. Cell proliferation, cell adherence on a dentin disc, alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity, expression of osteogenic/odontoblastic markers, and mineralization of the human dental pulp cells on experimental cement and MTA were assessed. Results The cell growth and ALP activity of TCP containing simvastatin–treated cells was greater than MTA-treated cells. The mineralization and messenger RNA expression of markers (ie, dentin sialophosphoprotein, dentin matrix protein 1, bone morphogenetic protein 2, ALP, and osteonectin) of TCP containing simvastatin– and TCP containing atorvastatin–treated cells were comparable with MTA-treated cells. The enhanced cell proliferation and similar level of ALP of TCP-treated cells compared with the control indicate that α-TCP is an effective osteoconductive material. The differentiation effect observed in TCP containing simvastatin– and TCP containing atorvastatin–treated cells is attributed to the effect of statin. Conclusions The results suggest that α-TCP can be used for local delivery of statin as a pulp capping material to accelerate reparative dentin formation.