[P-glycoprotein and human immunodeficiency virus infection].

P-glycoprotein (PGP) is a membrane protein and product of the MDR-1 gene, which acts as an efflux pump for several drugs, such as protease inhibitors (PI) used in HIV. Numerous studies in vitro, in experimental animals, and in patients have analyzed the relationships between PGP and the pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic properties of antiretroviral agents, with differing conclusions. In addition, studies focusing on the impact of single nucleotide polymorphisms in the MDR-1 gene, mainly C3435T in exon 26 and G2677A/G2677T in exon 21, on antiretroviral plasma concentrations, efficacy and adverse effects, have reported varying results, which have been attributed to the influence of other polymorphisms, such as cytochrome P450.