Isoniazid-rifampicin induced lipid changes in rats

Isoniazid (INH) and rifampicine (RIF) continues to be highly effective drugs in the chemoprophylaxis and treatment of tuberculosis. It is associated with hepatotoxicity in some individuals. Change in liver and serum lipids may be one of the reasons of hepatotoxicity. We examined isoniazid-rifampicine induced lipid changes in liver and serum of rats.

In a rat model of INH-RIF induced hepatotoxicity we evaluated the effect of oral administration of INH-RIF (50 mg/kg body weight /day each) on hepatic marker enzymes, total lipids, cholesterol, triglycerides and phospholipids in serum and liver of experimental rats after 28 days. Enzymes, total lipids and lipid fractions were measured according to standard methods.

Treatment with INH-RIF increased the hepatic marker enzymes after 28 days and altered the lipid levels in serum and liver. Administration of INH-RIF resulted in significantly increased liver and serum cholesterol and total Lipids as compared to control group, while triglycerides were significantly elevated in liver only. In contrast, phospholipids were significantly decreased in liver and no effect in serum was observed.

Changes in lipids (both in serum and liver) are likely involved in the pathogenesis of INH-RIF induced hepatoxicity in rats.