The pleotropic role of statins: Could it be the imminent host modulation agent in periodontics?

Abstract

Periodontal disease is a chronic inflammatory disease which represents a primarily anaerobic Gram‑negative oral infection that results in gingival inflammation, loss of attachment, bone destruction. Bacterial endotoxins in the form of lipopolysaccharides (LPS) that are instrumentalin generating a host‑mediated tissue destructive immune response by mobilizing their defensivecells and releasing cytokines like Interleukin‑1â (IL‑1â), Tumor Necrosis Factor‑á (TNF‑á),and Interleukin‑6 (IL‑6), which lead to tissue destruction by stimulating the production of thecollagenolytic enzymes: Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs). Since the host‑mediated tissuedestruction is to be controlled, various means have been employed for modulating this response. Statins, 3‑hydroxy‑3‑methylglutarylcoenzyme A (HMG CoA) reductase inhibitors, besides having lipid‑lowering abilities also have antioxidant, antithrombotic, anti‑inflammatory, immunomodulatoryand osteomodulatory properties. All of these pleiotropic effects of statins point out to it perhapsbecoming the novel host modulation agent in periodontics.

Key Words:Anti‑inflammatory, host modulation, immunomodulation, osseo‑modulatory