Hepatoprotector effects of press needle acupuncture of GB34 and BL18 against isoniazid and rifampicin induced liver injury in Wistar rats

Abstract

Treatment for tuberculosis typically consists of a combination of 5 drugs, of which isonicotinylhydrazide (INH) and rifampicin are the most significant ones. However, they are also associated with serious hepatotoxicity and fatal liver injury. The purpose of this study was to examine the hepatoprotector effect of press needle acupuncture on drug induced liver injury caused by INH and rifampicin by measuring the histopathological changes and variations in the SGOT, SGPT and MDA levels. This single-blinded, experimental, randomised control trial included 28 Wistar rats that were randomly allocated into four groups [control group (n = 7), negative control group (n = 7), press needle group (n = 7) and Sham acupuncture group (n = 7)]. Press needle acupuncture was administered using Pyonex press needle at Acupoints GB34 Yanglingquan and BL18 Ganshu. Significant differences in the mean histopathological scores were observed between the groups. The press needle acupuncture group exhibited lower steatosis (1.57 ± 0.787) compared to the negative control (2.33 ± 0.516) and the Sham acupuncture groups (2.29 ± 0.488) (p < 0.05). Therefore, it was concluded that press needle acupuncture had a hepatoprotector effect on histopathological changes associated with drug induced liver injury caused by isoniazid and rifampicin.