Objective: To study the modulation of mdr1 and P-glycoprotein (P-gp) by 1-phenyl-2-palmitoylamino-3-morpholino-1-propanol (PPMP) in SKOV3-adriamycin-resistant (SKOV3/AdrR) cell line.
Methods: SKOV3/AdrR cells were treated with PPMP, mRNA expression of multidrug resistant (mdr1) gene was analyzed by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction. Intracellular rhodamine (Rh123) concentration was measured by flow cytometry.
Results: PPMP was found to inhibit mdr1 expression of SKOV3/AdrR at the mRNA level. This modulation of gene expression was content dependent and complete inhibition appeared at 25 mumol/L PPMP treatment. PPMP could increase intracellular Rh123 accumulation in SKOV3/AdrR cells. After 15, 25 mumol/L PPMP treatment, Rh123 accumulation in SKOV3/AdrR was markedly enhanced Rh123 fluorescence intensity were 389.98, 426.08 respectively (P < 0.05).
Conclusions: PPMP could modulate mdr1 expression at the mRNA level in a content dependent manner. P-gp mediated outward efflux of cytotoxic agents can be blocked by PPMP in SKOV3/AdrR cell. PPMP possesses multi-drug resistance activity in ovarian cancer.