Title:P-glycoproteins in the Pathology and Treatment of Alzheimer's Disease
Volume: 21
Issue: 16
Author(s): Raghad H. Aljohani, Nouf F. Alruwali, Shorooq M. Alrashedi, Somaya M. Yousef, Shahad T. Alobaidan, Nehal M. Elsherbiny and Hebatallah H. Atteia*
Affiliation:
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Tabuk, Tabuk, Saudi Arabia
Keywords:
Amyloid β-peptide, P-glycoprotein, blood-brain barrier, Alzheimer’s disease, pathology, therapeutic targeting.
Abstract: Alzheimer's disease (AD), a central cause of dementia, is characterized by the accumulation
of amyloid β-peptide (Aβ) peptides in the brain. P-glycoprotein (P-gp), a highly expressed protein
in the BBB, plays a fundamental role in transporting Aβ from the brain to the blood and protecting
the blood-brain barrier (BBB). The dysfunction or decreased abundance of this transporting protein
is associated with the accumulation of Aβ, leading to dementia and cognitive deficits. In this
review article, we consolidate the existing literature on the impact of P-gp in the pathophysiology
and therapy of AD. Current evidence claims that p-gp is involved in AD pathology and that enhancing
the activity of this transporter may be a promising therapeutic approach to hinder AD progression.
There is also a growing interest in P-gp as a potential therapeutic target for AD. Hence, ongoing
clinical trials and research should investigate P-gp inhibitor efficacy as a therapeutic approach for
improving AD drug delivery to the brain and treatment outcomes.
