Simvastatin Results in a Dose-Dependent Toxic Effect on Spiral Ganglion Neurons in an In Vitro Organotypic Culture Assay

Figure 2

Quantitative analysis of SG neurites number, SG neurites length, and area of supporting cells. (a) Effect of simvastatin on the number of neurites from SG explants. There was a statistically significant decrease in the number of neurites in SG treated with simvastatin compared to control (ANOVA, ). Mevalonate treatment had no effect on the number of neurites compared to control. The combination of simvastatin 10 μM and mevalonate 100 μM resulted in a decrease in the number of neurites per SG explant compared to control (ANOVA, ). (b) Effect of simvastatin on the length of neurites from SG explants. There was a statistically significant decrease in the length of neurites in SG treated with simvastatin compared to control (ANOVA, ). Mevalonate treatment had no effect on the length of neurites compared to control. The combination of simvastatin 10 μM and mevalonate 100 μM resulted in a decrease in the length of neurites per SG explant compared to control (ANOVA, ). (c) Effect of simvastatin on the area of supporting cells. There was a statistically significant decrease in the area of supporting cells in SG treated with simvastatin compared to control (ANOVA, ). Mevalonate treatment had no effect on the area of supporting cells compared to control. The combination of simvastatin 10 μM and mevalonate 100 μM resulted in a decrease in the area of supporting cells compared to control (ANOVA, ). denotes statistical difference compared to control ().

(a)

(b)

(c)