Interrelationship between Heliobacter pylori and P-glycoprotein: potential role in drug resistance and carcinogenicity

Abstract

The association between P-glycoprotein and Helicobacter pylori infection was explored. We found that P-glycoprotein expression is induced by H. pylori in the upper gastrointestinal tract and influenced by the genetic polymorphism. Further, reduce P-glycoprotein expression is associated with increased attachment of the bacteria to epithelial cells. Our results support the hypotheses that high levels of P-glycoprotein expression are protective against gastric cancer and may play a role in H.pylori eradication.