[Liver steatogenic power of high doses of rifampicin in rats].

The possible induction of fatty liver by Rifampicin has been investigated by oral administration of two different doses (200 and 400 mg/kg/24 h) of this antibiotic for a period of 8 days to male and female Rats. The results obtained are more constant and more coherent in male than in female. It is the 400 mg/kg/24 h dose which is more effective, leading to an increase of lipids, triglycerides and cholesterol in the liver and a decrease of serum triglycerides. A dose-effect relationship may exist. These preliminary data lead us to believe that Rifampicin may inhibit the synthesis of the protein moiety of lipoproteins, such as alpha-Amanitin, which is also a RNA-polymerase inhibitor.