Regulation of Mdr1, MRP1 gene and their protein products P-glycoprotein, multid rug resistance associated protein 1 in leukemic cells by Quercetin

Objective To investigate the regulation of membrane transporters in leukemic cells by quer cetin.Methods MTT cell viability assay was adopted for verifying the chemosensitization of Q u ercetin to Daunorubicin (DNR) in K562/ADM and HL-60/ADM cells and the reverse c oncentration was determined, then the expression of Mdr1, MRP1 gene and their pr o tein products P-glycoprotein (P-gp) and multidrug resistance associated protei n 1 (MRP1) were analysed by RT-PCR and flow cytometry using monoclonal antibody before and after exposure to Quercetin. Results Comparing with K562/S, 20～40 μmol/L Quercetin in vitro could remarkably inc rease the sensitivity of K562/ADM to DNR and down-regulate the expression of Md r1, MRP1 gene and their protein products P-gp and MRP1, so as to reverse the multi drug resistance. Conclusion Quercetin may become a candidate of effective multi-drug resistance-rev ersing agent with low toxicity for leukemia chemotherapy.