It has been suggested that cytochrome P450 3A4 (CYP3A4) and MDR1 P-glycoprotein (P-gp) act synergistically to limit the bioavailability of orally administered agents. In order to determine the relative role of these proteins, it is essential to identify a selective inhibitor for either P-gp or CYP3A4. In the present investigation, comparative studies were performed to examine the effect of inhibitors on the function of these proteins. The IC50of P-gp function, determined by examining the inhibition of the transcellular transport of vinblastine across Caco-2 monolayers, was in the order PSC833 << ketoconazole, verapamil << N-(2(R)-hydroxy-1(S)-indanyl)-5-(2(S)-(1,1-dimethylethylaminocarbonyl)-4-(furo(2,3-b)pyridin-5-yl)methyl)piperazin-1-yl)-4(S)-hydroxy-2(R)-phenylmethylpentanamide (L-754,394). In contrast, the IC50of CYP3A4 function, determined by examining the inhibition of the metabolism of midazolam by intestinal and liver microsomes, was in the order L-754,384 < ketoconazole << PSC 833 and verapamil. The ratio of IC50for P-gp to that for CYP3A4 was more than 200 for L-754,394, 60 ~ 150 for ketoconazole, 1.5 for verapamil, and 0.05 for PSC 833. Collectively, it was demonstrated that PSC 833 and L-754,394 can be used as selective inhibitors of P-gp and CYP3A4, respectively.