Abstract
Sofosbuvir, the oral direct-acting antiviral, is a medication, which used as the effective
treatment for hepatitis C infection. Although sofosbuvir thought to have few adverse-effects,
there have been some experiences of serious drug-induced hepatotoxicity. In this research,
the molecular/cellular pathways that lead to sofosbuvir-induced hepatotoxicity were
evaluated on isolated rat hepatocytes. Rat hepatocytes were isolated using collagenase
reperfusion technique. In evaluating the different pathways of sofosbuvir-induced
hepatotoxicity, ROS formation, mitochondrial membrane potential collapse, lysosomal
membrane damage, glutathione depletion, and the percentage of apoptosis versus necrosis
were determined. Our data demonstrated that the cytotoxic effect of sofosbuvir in
lower concentrations (25, 50 and 100 µM) is mediated by above stream pathways. On
the other hand, sofosbuvir acts in opposite directions at higher concentrations (400 µM)
and acts as an antioxidant and hepatoprotective. We concluded that sofosbuvir while
looking toxic and pro-oxidant in lower concentrations, acts as protective and antioxidant
in higher concentrations.
Key words
sofosbuvir - oxidative stress - hepatotoxicity - mechanism - cytotoxicity - antioxidant