EPA and DHA increased PPARγ expression and deceased integrin-linked kinase and integrin β1 expression in rat glomerular mesangial cells treated with lipopolysaccharide

Fish oil containing n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 PUFAs) including eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) is known to prevent the progression of nephropathy and retard the progression of kidney disease. This study sought to investigate the underlying mechanisms of EPA and DHA in terms of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPAR gamma), integrin-linked kinase (ILK), and integrin beta 1 expression in glomerular mesangial cells (GMCs) because of their critical roles in the development and progression of nephropathy. Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) significantly reduced the expression of PPAR. and increased the expression of ILK at the mRNA level and at the protein level in GMCs as indicated by real-time PCR and Western blotting. In addition, LPS increased integrin beta 1 expression in GMCs at the mRNA level. Treatment with EPA and DHA significantly increased the expression of PPAR. and decreased the expression of ILK and integrin beta 1 in GMCs. These data suggest that the renoprotective effects of EPA and DHA may be related to their potential to increase the expression of PPAR. and decrease the expression of ILK and integrin beta 1.