Local Administration of Simvastatin Stimulates Healing of an Avascular Meniscus in a Rabbit Model of a Meniscal Defect

Conclusion:
The local administration of simvastatin promotes the regeneration of an avascular meniscus in the rabbit model of a meniscal defect. The mechanism may involve the upregulation of BMPs and the subsequent upregulation of COL1 and COL2.

Clinical Relevance:
This study suggests that simvastatin stimulated intrinsic healing of an avascular meniscus. The local administration of simvastatin is safe and inexpensive and seems to be a promising treatment of meniscal injuries.

Source: The American Journal of Sports Medicine - June 30, 2016 Category: Sports Medicine Authors: Zhang, S., Matsushita, T., Kuroda, R., Nishida, K., Matsuzaki, T., Matsumoto, T., Takayama, K., Nagai, K., Oka, S., Tabata, Y., Nagamune, K., Kurosaka, M. Tags: Cell/Molecular biology, Knee, meniscus, Biologic healing enhancement Source Type: research