The protease inhibitor darunavir prevents esophagitis and impairments in esophageal barrier function in a mouse model of GERD
Year: 2026
Type: article
Abstract: The gastroesophageal reflux of pepsin contributes importantly to esophageal damage in patients with GERD. We have found that darunavir, a drug presently used to treat HIV, inhibits pepsin activity and, in an animal model of GERD, darunavir reduces esophageal inflammation and HIF-2α levels while preserving levels of tight junction proteins and esophageal mucosal integrity. These findings suggest that darunavir might have a role as a novel treatment for GERD.
Authors: Thiago Meneses Araújo Leite Sales, Ananda Moara Lima Daniel, Lara Mara Gomes da Silva, Alvaro Xavier Franco, Humberto Barbosa da Costa Filho, Carlos Eduardo da Silva Monteiro, Antonia Beatriz Alves Ferreira, Sarah Antonieli Carneiro Alicrim, Antonielle de Sousa Lopes, Marco Antonio de Freitas Clementino, Antonio Carlos Pereira de Oliveira, Lucas Antonio Duarte Nicolau, Alexandre Havt, Pedro Marcos Gomes Soares, Stuart Jon Spechler, Rhonda Frances Souza, Marcellus Henrique Loiola Ponte de Souza
Language: English
Subfield: Gastroenterology
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: hybrid
Award: G5589170626
OpenAlex ID: W7155039491