Can statins prevent pregnancy complications?

Statins are potent inhibitors of cholesterol biosynthesis. The beneficial effects of the statins in preventing cardiovascular diseases are not entirely due to cholesterol reduction. Numerous studies suggest that the benefits observed with statins may be mediated by pleiotropic effects that are cholesterol-independent. There is now compelling evidence that statin therapy may diminish inflammation and oxidative stress, increase angiogenesis, inhibit the coagulation cascade and protect the endothelium. Several animal studies demonstrated that statins prevent pregnancy complications such as recurrent miscarriages and preeclampsia. Epidemiological data collected to date suggest that statins are not major teratogens. Clinical trials should be performed to demonstrate the effectiveness of statins in preventing bad pregnancy outcomes in women. Some of these trials recently started. This article summarizes the numerous effects of statins that can contribute to the pregnancy protection observed in animal models. (C) 2013 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.