Fish oil replacement prevents, while docosahexaenoic acid‐derived protectin DX mitigates end‐stage‐renal‐disease in atherosclerotic diabetic mice

Diabetic nephropathy (DN) remains the major cause of end‐stage renal disease (ESRD). We used high‐fat/high‐sucrose (HFHS)‐fed LDLr‐/‐/ApoB100/100 mice with transgenic overexpression of IGFII in pancreatic β‐cells (LRKOB100/IGFII) as a model of ESRD to test whether dietary long chain omega‐3 polyunsaturated fatty acids LCω3FA‐rich fish oil (FO) could prevent ESRD development. We further evaluated the potential of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA)‐derived pro‐resolving lipid mediators, 17‐hydroxy‐DHA (17‐HDHA) and Protectin DX (PDX), to reverse established ESRD damage. HFHS‐fed vehicle‐treated LRKOB100/IGFII mice developed severe kidney dysfunction leading to ESRD, as revealed by advanced glomerular fibrosis and mesangial expansion along with reduced percent survival. The kidney failure outcome was associated with cardiac dysfunction, revealed by reduced heart rate and prolonged diastolic and systolic time. Dietary FO prevented kidney damage, lean mass loss, cardiac dysfunction, and death. 17‐HDHA reduced podocyte foot process effacement while PDX treatment alleviated kidney fibrosis and mesangial expansion as compared to vehicle treatment. Only PDX therapy was effective at preserving the heart function and survival rate. These results show that dietary LCω3FA intake can prevent ESRD and cardiac dysfunction in LRKOB100/IGFII diabetic mice. Our data further reveals that PDX can protect against renal failure and cardiac dysfunction, offering a potential new therapeutic strategy against ESRD.