Interaction between rosuvastatin and rocuronium in rat sciatic-gastrocnemius nerve-muscle preparation

Long-term use of rosuvastatin may be associated with myotoxicity. Statins are one of the groups commonly found to be associated with neuromuscular weakness. The present study was designed to investigate the interaction between rosuvastatin and rocuronium in vivo by using a sciatic-gastrocnemius nerve-muscle preparation of rat.

In our study groups, animals received rosuvastatin 2 mg/kg for 14 and 28 days. Train of four (TOF) stimulation was applied to the sciatic nerve, and gastrocnemius muscle contractions were recorded in Wistar albino rats. Intravenous infusion of rocuronium was given until the twitch responses were abolished. We ultimately compared the effective dose required for a desired effect in 95% of the population (ED95), duration 25%, deep block, recovery index, and time for returning of TOF ratio to 0.9 between the active control and study groups.

Chronic administration of rosuvastatin at a dose of 2 mg/kg for 28 days significantly reduced the ED95 of rocuronium as compared to the active control group. Deep block and duration 25% were increased by 3.5 and 2.5 times, respectively, compared to the active control group. The spontaneous recovery of neuromuscular block was delayed, as evidenced by the prolonged recovery index and increase in time required for a return of the TOF ratio to 0.9.

The neuromuscular blocking potency of rocuronium is increased and recovery is delayed in rats that pre-treated with rosuvastatin.