Evaluation of the biocompatibility and antibacterial effect of simvastatin nanoparticle coating on healing abutment of implants

Abstract

Introduction: Simvastatin is a lipid-lowering drug with other biological effects. Several studies have shown that simvastatin may have a protective effect on reducing complications and mortality from infections. One of the most devastating complications of orthopedic surgery is implant-associated infections (IAIs). Recently, newer strategies have been tried to reduce IAIs. Nanoparticles with antibacterial properties and coating on implant healing abutments can improve implant performance. This study investigated the cytotoxicity and antimicrobial effects of healing implant abutments coated with simvastatin nanoparticles (SIM-NPs). Materials and Methods: The MTT method was used to investigate cytotoxicity and the time-kill assay was used to evaluate the antibacterial effect of healing abutments coated with SIM-NPs. Results: The results showed that SIM-NPs coated on the healing implant abutment had no cytotoxic effect. The antibacterial effect evaluation test showed that SIM-NPs coated healing abutments had an antibacterial effect (p<0.05). Conclusion: Considering the favorable antibacterial effect and biocompatibility, SIM-NPs coated healing abutments can be considered for clinical application, although further animal and clinical studies should be conducted before that.