By Sana Aftab, Analisa Ayala, Delaney Baratka

Faculty Mentor: Laura Sipe

Abstract

34.6% adults in the U.S. deal with systemic inflammation. Simvastatin is a drug in the class of statins typically used as a treatment to lower cholesterol. Previous research conducted on simvastatin in relation to inflammation found that simvastatin can have anti-inflammatory effects by reducing and/or attenuating the production of inflammatory cytokines. The aim of our study was to explore the effects of simvastatin on deregulated macrophages. After culturing RAW264.7 macrophages, we divided them into four treatment groups: a control group with no additional treatment, an LPS-stimulated control, an unstimulated simvastatin group, and an LPS-stimulated simvastatin group. To test simvastatin’s effect on cell viability, we conducted an MTT assay and found that simvastatin at its lowest dose (20ug/mL) improved cell viability on LPS-stimulated macrophages. To test simvastatin’s effect on nitric oxide (NO) release, we conducted a Griess Reagent assay and found that simvastatin at its lowest dose (20 ug/mL) reduced NO release. Given these results, simvastatin may be used as a possible alternative treatment to allow individuals a reprieve from symptoms stemming from chronic inflammation.