Studies of the antimicrobial mechanisms of simvastatin: evaluation of the gene expression in the mevalonate pathway in Staphylococcus aureus

Resumo

Simvastatin, a statin that reduces cholesterol levels, has antimicrobial against Staphylococcus aureus. The mechanism of statins antimicrobial action is still unknown. Thus, the present study evaluated the effect to mevalonate on the antimicrobial activity of simvastatin and the expression of the genes of the mevalonate pathway. The Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (CIM), time-kill assays and qRT-PCR of the mvaS, mvaK1 and mvaK2 genes were performed for S. aureus ATCC 29213 exposed to simvastatin (SIMV). MIC for SIMV was in the range of 31.25 ug/mL and 15,62 ug/m. For time kill analyses, it was possible to observe the bacteriostatic effect of SIMV, but with no effect of mevalonate on its antimicrobial activity (p>0.05, 2 way-ANOVA). The RNAm levels for mvaS, mvaK1 and mvaK2 were not altered after SIMV exposure (p>0.05, ANOVA). However, the gene expression analyses will be repeated to confirm these results. In conclusion, simvastatin may not act in the bacterial mevalonate pathway for S. aureus.