Comparative Modulation of Levels of Oxidative Stress in the Liver of Anti-Tuberculosis Drug Treated Wistar Rats by Vitamin B12, Beta-Carotene, and Spirulina fusiformis: Role of NF-κB, iNOS, IL-6, and IL-10.

Isoniazid (INH) and Rifampicin (RIF) are known hepatotoxic agents. We compared the efficacy of Spirulina fusiformis and its active components vitamin B12 and beta-carotene in attenuating INH and RIF induced hepatotoxicity. We also tried to elucidate the inflammatory mechanism behind anti-tuberculosis drug induced hepatotoxicity. INH and RIF were administered to Wistar albino rats for 28 days to induce hepatotoxicity. S. fusiformis, vitamin B12, and beta-carotene were co-administered with INH and RIF and their hepatoprotective, antioxidant, and immunomodulatory roles were studied through blood and liver analysis. Changes induced by INH and RIF in antioxidants, cytokines (IL-6 and IL-10) and expression of Nuclear Factor-κB (NF-κB) and Nitric Oxide Synthase (iNOS) were also studied. Supplement treatment caused restoration of liver function parameters to normal levels along with reversal of inflammatory changes in IL-6 and IL-10 levels. Liver PCNA, iNOS, and NF-κB expression were reduced in the supplement treated tissues compared to INH and RIF treated rats as evidenced by immunohistochemistry and quantitative PCR. Correlation of IL-6 levels, PCNA, and iNOS with NF-κB showed its pivotal role in the inflammatory process. Study shows the pivotal role of NF-kB and the equivalence in antioxidant efficacy of vitamin B12 and beta-carotene compared to Spirulina fusiformis. J. Cell. Biochem. 118: 3825-3833, 2017.