Expression of Multidrug Resistance Genes in Peripheral Blood of Patients with Refractory Epilepsy and the Reverse Effect of Oxcarbazepine on Its Expression

BACKGROUND: We aimed to investigate the expression levels of multidrug resistance gene 1 (MDR1), multidrug resistance-associated protein 1 (MRP1) and multidrug resistance P-glycoprotein (P-gp) in peripheral blood of patients with refractory epilepsy. METHODS: Patients with epilepsy (n=24) and those with refractory epilepsy (n=24) were selected, and 30 normal volunteers were enrolled as control. The expression level of MDR1 genes was detected using semi-quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). The expression levels of P-gp and MRP1 were detected via Western blotting. The above-mentioned patients with refractory epilepsy were randomly divided into the oxcarbazepine group (OB group) and placebo group (OZ group). After consecutive 8-week oral administration of drugs, the curative effect and adverse reactions of patients with refractory epilepsy were observed, and the life quality of patients was evaluated. RESULTS: The expression levels of MDR1 genes, P-gp and MRP1 in peripheral blood of patients with refractory epilepsy were significantly increased compared with those of patients with epilepsy, (P<0.05). At 8 weeks after the drug therapy, the effective rate and life quality of patients in OB group were significantly higher than those of patients in OZ group (P<0.01). There was no significant difference in the incidence rate of adverse reactions during the treatment between the two groups. After treatment, the expression levels of MDR1, P-gp and MRP1 in peripheral blood of patients in OB group were significantly lower than those of patients in OZ group (P<0.01). CONCLUSION: Oxacillipine could effectively improve the effective treatment rate of patients with refractory epilepsy. The mechanism may be related to MDR1, MRP1 and Pgp expression.