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

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 instrumental in generating a host‑mediated tissue destructive immune response by mobilizing their defensive cells and releasing cytokines like Interleukin‑1β (IL‑1β), Tumor Necrosis Factor‑α (TNF‑α), and Interleukin‑6 (IL‑6), which lead to tissue destruction by stimulating the production of the collagenolytic enzymes: Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs). Since the host‑mediated tissue destruction 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, immunomodulatory and osteomodulatory properties. All of these pleiotropic effects of statins point out to it perhaps becoming the novel host modulation agent in periodontics.