Abstract

Background:
Dexamethasone, a synthetic analogue of betamethasone, exerts vast actions to mediate antiinflammatory and immunosuppressive effects. Despite failing to exhibit obvious adverse involvements during its protective therapy, the unique role of dexamethasone affects an array of organs implicated in preliminary histopathological findings.

Aim:
This prospective study aimed to verify the alterations in the liver, brain, kidney, and spleen of pregnant rats treated with low-versus high-dexamethasone doses.

Methods:
Overall, 72 Wistar rats weighing 250 ± 20 g were divided into the control pregnant group, which was subdivided into two subgroups (14 and 21 days); the pregnant group, which was ultimately subdivided into two groups and then orally administered diluted concentrations of dexamethasone at 625 and 125 × 10 μg/kg body weight (BW); each of these concentrations was subdivided into two subgroups (14 and 21 days); the control non-pregnant group, which was subdivided into two subgroups (14 and 21 days); and the non-pregnant group, which was sub grouped into two groups, was orally administered the same mentioned concentrations of dexamethasone.

Results:
Histological sections from the liver, brain, kidney, and spleen were further stained with hematoxylin and eosin and then examined under a microscope to evaluate tissue integrity and histopathological lesions. Dexamethasone exhibited significant adverse effects on total organ weights. Significant histopathological variations in dexamethasone-treated tissues. Therefore, liver changes included hepatocyte necrosis and interstitial inflammation. Structural brain changes involving neuronal necrosis and perineuronal vacuolations. Despite kidney lesions, which included dilated tubules and necrosis with sloughing of the renal epithelium, the spleen exhibited lymphoid follicle depletion and hemorrhage of red pulp. Strong, unlimited alterations (+++) of the tissues were observed in the group that received 125 × 10 μg/kg BW dexamethasone. Additionally, the lowest concentration group, which received 625 μg/kg BW dexamethasone, showed non-negligible changes (++) compared with the controls.

Conclusion:
These findings suggest that the harmful effects of dexamethasone on organ architecture are dosedependent. Therefore, dexamethasone is not decidedly contraindicated during pregnancy, but strict consideration and incessant monitoring are required during application, irrespective of the healthcare supplier.

Key words: Dexamethasone; Histopathology; Lesions; Pregnancy; Rats.