Evaluating the safety profile of rosuvastatin in pregnant Wistar rats: Bridging gaps in reproductive safety data.

Rosuvastatin, a statin used to treat hypercholesterolemia, inhibits the enzyme 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase (HGM-CoA reductase), reducing cholesterol synthesis. Beyond its lipid-lowering effects, rosuvastatin has pleiotropic effects, such as anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, with potential application in pre-eclampsia treatment. However, its safety during pregnancy remains controversial. This study evaluated whether prenatal treatment with rosuvastatin calcium induces maternal toxicity and possible embryotoxic, fetotoxic, and teratogenic effects in Wistar rats. Pregnant females received 10, 20, or 40 mg/kg/day of rosuvastatin or a vehicle (saline) by gavage from gestational day 0-20. Maternal toxicity was assessed through weight gain, food and water intake, biochemical markers, histopathology, and myenteric plexus neuron analysis. Fetal evaluations included external, visceral, and skeletal analyses. No significant differences were observed between groups in maternal weight gain, food and water intake, or biochemical parameters. Histopathological analysis showed no dose-dependent abnormalities in the liver, kidneys, heart, or uterus. Enteric neurons exhibited atrophy of nitrergic neurons at 10 and 40 mg/kg, while hypertrophy of total neuronal soma area was observed at 20 mg/kg. Cholinergic neurons were unaffected. Fetal evaluations revealed no significant external, visceral, or skeletal abnormalities attributable to rosuvastatin exposure. These findings suggest that rosuvastatin induces selective vulnerability of nitrergic neurons involved in nitric oxide-mediated adaptations to physiological changes during gestation, likely influenced by the tested exposure levels. Although no maternal or fetal toxicity was observed, alterations in the enteric nervous system underscore the need for further studies to investigate the underlying mechanisms and their potential implications for reproductive health.