Simvastatin protects human osteosarcoma cells from oxidative stress-induced apoptosis through mitochondrial-mediated signaling

Apoptosis of osteoblasts has been proposed as the common basis of osteoporosis, with oxidative stress as the major cause. This study was performed to investigate the protective effect of simvastatin (0.001-0.1 mu M) on 100 mu M hydrogen peroxide (H2O2)-mediated oxidative stress-induced apoptosis in human osteosarcoma (MG63) cells and the molecular mechanisms involved. Cell apoptosis was evaluated by observation of morphological changes and Annexin V-propidium iodide double staining followed by flow cytometric analysis. MTS assays were used to evaluate cell viability. To investigate the underlying molecular mechanisms, the expression of caspase-3, caspase-9 and Bcl-2 were analyzed by Western blotting. Following stimulation with H2O2 for 24 h, a high proportion of MG63 cells underwent apoptosis, while a dose-dependent inhibition of apoptosis was observed in the presence of simvastatin. A significant, dose-dependent reduction in the expression of caspase-3 and caspase-9 protein induced by H2O2 in MG63 cells was observed in response to simvastatin and the Bcl-2 levels were increased. In conclusion, simvastatin protects MG63 cells from oxidative stress-induced apoptosis through downregulation of caspase-3 and caspase-9 activation and upregulation of Bcl-2 expression, suggesting a protective effect in osteoporosis.