Biochemical manifestations of anti-tuberculosis drugs induced hepatotoxicity and the effect of silymarin.

In the present study, the biochemical manifestations of liver toxicity caused by co-administration of anti-TB drugs, rifampicin (RIF), isoniazid (INH) and pyrazinamide (PZA), in a sub-chronic mode (12 weeks), were investigated. Significant alterations were revealed in (a) increased levels of alanine aminotrasferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and a high bilirubin content in serum; (b) elevated lipid peroxidation (LPO), intracellular calcium [Ca(2+)](i) and CYP4502EI activity in liver; and (c) decreased glutathione (GSH) content, glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and catalase activities in liver. Silymarin reversed these abnormal alterations. The biochemical changes were supported by histological observations.