Simvastatin With PRP Promotes Chondrogenesis of Bone Marrow Stem Cells In Vitro and Wounded Rat Achilles Tendon–Bone Interface Healing In Vivo:

Background:Tendons and ligaments are joined to bone in a specialized interface that transmits force from muscle to bone and permits body movement. Tendon/ligament injuries always occur in the interface areas, and injured tendons/ligaments have a limited healing response because the insertion site is composed of a fibrocartilaginous zone.Purpose:To study the effect of simvastatin with platelet-rich plasma (PRP) on chondrogenesis of rat bone marrow stem cells (BMSCs) in vitro and wounded rat Achilles tendon–bone interface healing in vivo.Study Design:Controlled laboratory study.Methods:The in vitro model was performed by the culture of rat BMSCs with various concentrations of simvastatin (0, 10, 50, 100 nM) for 2 weeks. The effect of simvastatin on the chondrogenic differentiation of the BMSCs was examined by histochemical analysis and real-time quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. The in vivo model was carried out by testing the healing effect of simvastatin with PRP on 12 wounded ...