Glucosamine activates intestinal P-glycoprotein inhibiting drug absorption.

ABSTRACT: P-glycoprotein (P-gp) is a crucial drug efflux transporter in the gastrointestinal tract, reducing drug uptake and expelling harmful xenobiotics to prevent pathological changes. Current P-gp enhancers primarily increase P-gp expression, requiring 1-3 days, thus missing the critical rescue window for acute poisoning. This study identifies glucosamine (GlcN) as a potent P-gp activator that swiftly enhances drug efflux, significantly reducing drug absorption without altering P-gp expression levels. GlcN directly binds to P-gp, boosting its transport efficiency. Only GlcN with a polymerization degree below 5 can activate P-gp, whereas higher polymerized chitooligosaccharides enhance drug absorption. Additionally, GlcN activation of P-gp has significant implications for cellular metabolism by e

SUBMITTER: Wu Q 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12222954 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature