Assessing the Impact of Rifampicin on Some Hepatic Parameters of Albino Wistar Rats

This study was aimed at investigating and evaluating the toxicity of Rifampicin on the liver of albino rats. The hepatoxicity of Rifampicin was determined by measuring the hepatic enzymes such as alanine amino transaminase (ALT) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP). Liver toxicity was induced by oral administration of Rifampicin per body weight for twenty one (21) consecutive days. The animals were divided into four groups with each group having six (6) animals. Group I rats served as control and were treated with distilled water while Groups II, III and IV received 3 mg/kg, 9 mg/kg and 18 mg/kg of Rifampicin orally respectively. After anesthesia with chloroform, they were sacrificed and blood sample was collected for biochemical analysis of hepatic enzymes. The results showed that Rifampicin treated rats in Group II and III showed no marked increase in ALP and ALT levels. Rifampicin treated rats in group four (IV) showed a marked increase in the serum enzymes levels. The results of this study suggest that Rifampicin is hepatotoxic at high doses.