Risk Assessment of Co-treatment With Rifampicin and Tenofovir on Renal Function of Male Albino Rats

Abstract

Background: Tuberculosis is one of the comorbid infections commonly associated with human immunodeficiency virus which could necessitate the concurrent use of tenofovir and rifampicin (TDF-RIF). These drugs are individually associated with renal toxicity; hence concurrent use might be detrimental to renal function.

Objectives: This study, comparatively evaluated the toxicological effects of treatments with tenofovir, rifampicin and tenofovir- rifampicin combination on renal function of male albino rats.

Materials and Methods: Healthy adult male albino rats used for this study were divided into five (5) groups of sixteen animals (16) each. Animals in group A (placebo control) and group B (solvent control) were treated orally with water and arachis oil respectively. Animals in groups C-E were treated orally with 80mg/kg of rifampicin, 32 mg/kg of tenofovir and tenofovir-rifampicin combination for 1-8 weeks respectively. Animals were weighed and sacrificed at the end of drug treatment, blood samples were collected, centrifuged and serum extracted for creatinine, urea, uric acid, albumin, total protein and glucose evaluation. Animals were dissected kidneys were collected and weights determined.

Results: Treatment with tenofovir-rifampicin combination did not produce significant (p>0.05) effects on body and relative kidney weights, albumin, total protein and glucose levels when compared to their individual doses. Furthermore, insignificant (p>0.05) and time-dependent increases in serum creatinine, urea and uric acid levels were obtained in animals treated with combined doses of TDF-RIF when compared to their individual doses.

Conclusion: These results showed that concurrent use of tenofovir and rifampicin in the management of human immunodeficiency virus and tuberculosis co-infection may not be associated with synergistic renal toxicity at the dose levels used.