Omega-3 Fatty Acids Attenuate LPS-Induced Acute Kidney Injury via Activation of AMPK/SIRT1/PGC-1α/NRF2/FOXO3 Signaling and Suppression of NF-κB-Mediated Inflammation

Nutrients. 2026 Feb 13;18(4):618. doi: 10.3390/nu18040618.

Abstract

Background: Sepsis-induced acute kidney injury (AKI) involves oxidative stress and inflammation. Omega-3 (OMG-3) fatty acids possess antioxidant properties, but their impact on the mitochondrial AMPK/SIRT1/PGC-1α/NRF2/FOXO3 axis in AKI remains unclear. Methods: Thirty-two male Wistar rats were divided into Control, LPS (5 mg/kg), LPS + OMG-3 (500 mg/kg/day), and OMG-3 groups. Renal tissues were analyzed for histopathology, immunohistochemistry (TNF-α, Caspase-3, HSP70), and gene expression (AMPK, SIRT1, PPGC-1α NRF2, FOXO3). Results: LPS caused severe tubular injury, increased TNF-α, Caspase-3, and HSP70 expression, while significantly downregulating the AMPK/SIRT1/PGPGC-1αRF2/FOXO3 signaling pathway. OMG-3 treatment alleviated histopathological damage, suppressed inflammatory and apoptotic markers, and restored the expression of mitochondrial and antioxidant genes. Conclusions: OMG-3 fatty acids protect against LPS-induced AKI by upregulating the gene expression of components in the AMPK/SIRT1/PGCPGC-1αF2/FOXO3 axis and suppressing NF-κB-driven inflammation. This dual regulation highlights OMG-3 as a potential therapeutic agent for sepsis-related renal injury.

Keywords: HSP70; Heme oxygenase 1; Interleukin 6; apoptosis; inflammation; omega-3 fatty acids; oxidative stress.

MeSH terms

  • AMP-Activated Protein Kinases / metabolism
  • Acute Kidney Injury* / chemically induced
  • Acute Kidney Injury* / drug therapy
  • Acute Kidney Injury* / metabolism
  • Acute Kidney Injury* / prevention & control
  • Animals
  • Antioxidants / pharmacology
  • Fatty Acids, Omega-3* / pharmacology
  • Forkhead Box Protein O3 / metabolism
  • Inflammation* / drug therapy
  • Inflammation* / metabolism
  • Kidney / drug effects
  • Kidney / pathology
  • Lipopolysaccharides
  • Male
  • NF-E2-Related Factor 2 / genetics
  • NF-E2-Related Factor 2 / metabolism
  • NF-kappa B / metabolism
  • Oxidative Stress / drug effects
  • Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptor Gamma Coactivator 1-alpha / metabolism
  • Rats
  • Rats, Wistar
  • Signal Transduction* / drug effects
  • Sirtuin 1 / metabolism

Substances

  • Sirtuin 1
  • Forkhead Box Protein O3
  • FOXO3 protein, rat
  • Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptor Gamma Coactivator 1-alpha
  • Sirt1 protein, rat
  • NF-E2-Related Factor 2
  • NF-kappa B
  • Fatty Acids, Omega-3
  • Nfe2l2 protein, rat
  • AMP-Activated Protein Kinases
  • Ppargc1a protein, rat
  • Lipopolysaccharides
  • Antioxidants