Abstract

Objectives: The objective of this study is to determine the adequate concentration and to evaluate the osteogenic potential of simvastatin in human maxillary sinus membrane-derived stem cells (hSMSC). Materials and Methods: Mesenchymal stem cells derived from the human maxillary sinus membrane were treated with various concentrations of simvastatin. The adequate concentration of simvastatin for osteogenic induction was determined using bone morphogenetic protein (BMP-2). The efficacy of osteogenic differentiation of simavastatin was verified using osteocalcin mRNA, and the mineralization efficacy of hSMSCs and simvastatin treatment was compared with alkaline phosphatase and von Kossa staining. Results: Expression of BMP-2 mRNA and protein was observed after three days and was dependent on the concentration of simvastatin. Expression of osteocalcin mRNA was observed after three days in the 1.0 μM simvastatin-treated group. Mineralization was observed after three days in the simvastatin-treated group. Conclusion: These results suggest that simvastatin induces the osteogenic potential of mesenchymal stem cells derived from the human maxillary sinus membrane mucosa.