Mitochondrial Damage and Drp1 Overexpression in Rifampicin- and Isoniazid-induced Liver Injury Cell Model

Background and Aims: Rifampicin (RFP) and isoniazid (INH) are widely used as anti-tuberculosis agents. However, the mechanisms underlying the involvement of reactive oxygen species and mitochondria in RFP- and INH-related hepatotoxicity have not been established yet. This study aimed to observe the intracellular mechanisms leading to mitochondrial dysfunction and morphological changes in RFP- and INH-induced hepatocyte injury. Methods: Cell injury, changes in mitochondrial function, and expression and activation of dynamin related protein 1 (Drp1), known as the main protein for mitochondrial fission, were analyzed in cultured QSG7701 cells exposed to RFP and INH. Results: INH and RFP treatment induced pronounced hepatocyte injury and increased cell death. In the similar context of aspartate aminotransferase elevation and adenosine triphosphate synthesis decrease, changes in mitochondrial membrane permeability and reactive oxygen species in hepatocytes induced by RFP were significantly different from those induced by INH (p < 0.05). Particularly, we observed the overactivation and mitochondrial translocation of Drp1 in RFP-induced cell injury, which was not occurred with exposure to INH. Conclusions: RFP-induced hepatotoxicity may be closely related to mitochondrial dysfunction and Drp1-mediated mitochondrial fission.