Riboceine Mitigates Isoniazid-induced Hepatic Disturbances in Wistar Rats

Isoniazid is an efficacious first line antitubercular drug, though elevations in liver enzymes have been reported. This study evaluated the role of riboceine in modulating isoniazid-induced organ injury in rats. Thirty-five Wistar albino rats of either sex were randomly divided into seven groups of five rats each and administered treatments orally, once daily, for 30 days as follows: Animals in group 1 had normal saline (10 ml/kg); groups II & III received isoniazid (1100 and 550 mg/kg respectively); Groups IV and V animals had isoniazid (1100 and 550 mg/kg) plus riboceine (30 mg/kg); group VI were given isoniazid (1100 mg/kg) plus Silymarin (30 mg/kg); Group VII had acetaminophen (100 mg/kg). Liver tissue were fixed in 10 % formalin, processed, and examined for histopathological changes. In rats co-administered isoniazid and riboceine, results showed a decrease in alkaline phosphatase, alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, total and direct bilirubin; while albumin and total protein were significantly (P<0.05) increased, compared to rats administered isoniazid only. A significant increase (P<0.05) in catalase, superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase and a significant decrease (P<0.05) in malondialdehyde in rats co-administered isoniazid and riboceine was observed, compared to the rats administered isoniazid only. A significant increase (P<0.05) in the platelets levels was observed in the rats co-administered isoniazid and riboceine, while hemoglobin, white blood cells, red blood cells, packed cell volume and mean corpuscular volume decreased, though insignificantly, compared to rats administered isoniazid only. Lymphocytes and neutrophils were lower and monocytes higher in the treatment groups, compared to rats on isoniazid only. Alpha-Fetoprotein and Gamma-Glutamyl Transferase were lower in the treatment groups, compared to rats on isoniazid only. Photomicrographs of liver sections showed normal architecture in rats co-administered isoniazid and riboceine. In conclusion, the findings from this study underscore the potential therapeutic efficacy of riboceine in alleviating hepatic disturbances induced by Isoniazid in Wistar rats. The observed attenuation of liver alterations suggests a modulatory role for riboceine in countering the adverse effects of Isoniazid on hepatic function.