Histological and biochemical markers of the liver of male Wistar rats on oral administration of nevirapine suspension

Abstract

Background: Mechanism of action of nevirapine in the prophylaxis treatment and treatment of HIV-1 may involve elevations in levels of alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase and other biomarkers of liver function. This study presents the hepatotoxic effect of nevirapine suspension using animal model.

Methods: A total number of 15 male Wister rats were fed normal chow and antiretroviral drug (Nevirapine) for a period of six weeks. The liver organ of the rats were obtained and subjected to histological procedures and biochemical analysis using enzyme assay obtained from Randox Laboratories Limited, Antrim United Kingdom (BT294QY).

Results: The wistar rats showed no significant mean body weight difference when compared with the control group. However there was significant difference in the mean values of AST (77.77±3.03) and ALT (89.37±3.19) of the treated rats. Nevirapine treated rats showed significant difference in AST, ALT, and ALP in the single (77.77± 3.03, 31.80±1.73, 43.81 ±1.54) and double (89.37±3.19, 33.38±2.01, 34.64 ±1.02) doses when compared with the controls (75.14 ±2.00, 29.16±0.17, 45.44 ±1.85) respectively. Mild vascular congestion, infiltration of sinusoids by inflammatory cells, and haemorrhage were induced by nevirapine as compared with the control group showing normal vessels without congestion, normal sinusoids appearing normal without infiltration.

Conclusion: The liver histology of the rats fed with Nevirapine suspension showed diffused hepatocellular necrosis. Routine check of the drug effect is important as it provides effective life management of HIV infected individuals.

Keywords: Nevirapine, Wister rat, Hepatotoxicity, Liver, Alanine aminotransferase (ALT), Aspartate aminotransferase (AST), Alkaline phosphatase (ALP)