Abstract

Background: Pyrazinamide is a widely used antituberculosis drug. However, associated with its clinical use, hepatotoxicity is a life-threating side effect reported in some patients, but the exact mechanism by which pyrazinamide induces hepatotoxicity is not clear yet.

Aims and Objectives: The present investigation was conducted to study the exact mechanism of subchronic toxicity induced by pyrazinamide and protective role of taurine in rats.

Materials and Methods: Markers such as alanine transaminase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) levels, lipid peroxidation, reactive oxygen species (ROS) formation, hepatocytes glutathione (GSH) content, and apoptosis were examined. Furthermore, pathological changes were evaluated.

Results: The results showed that pyrazinamide administration caused hepatotoxicity as revealed by elevation in ALT and AST levels. Pyrazinamide increased ROS generation and malondialdehyde derivative levels, and also, it reduced intracellular GSH contents. Pyrazinamide induced apoptosis in rats liver tissue.

Conclusion: Administration of taurine effectively decreased the intensity of hepatotoxicity induced by pyrazinamide in rats.

Key words: Taurine; Pyrazinamide; Oxidative Stress; Hepatotoxicity; Apoptosis