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

ABSTRACT 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. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. 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. 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 importance of vitamin B12 and beta‐carotene in giving S. fusiformis its hepatoprotective function and the pivotal role of NF‐κB.