Related Experiment Video
Updated: Mar 23, 2026

Standardized Colon Ascendens Stent Peritonitis in Rats - a Simple, Feasible Animal Model to Induce Septic Acute Kidney Injury
Published on: February 15, 2022
Fish Oil-Based Fat Emulsion Reduces Acute Kidney Injury and Inflammatory Response in Antibiotic-Treated Polymicrobial
Juey-Ming Shih1,2, Yao-Ming Shih3,4, Man-Hui Pai5
1School of Nutrition and Health Sciences, College of Public Health and Nutrition, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 11031, Taiwan. shihcvs@gmail.com.
Abstract:
Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a common complication in sepsis. This study compared the effects of a fish oil-based with a mixed oil fat emulsion on remote renal injury in an antibiotic-treated septic murine model. Mice were randomly assigned to a normal control (NC) group and three septic groups. Sepsis was induced by cecal ligation and puncture (CLP). The antibiotic was injected intraperitoneally (IP) after CLP and then daily till the time of sacrifice. Three hours after antibiotic treatment, one of the septic groups was injected IP with a fish oil-based emulsion (FO), while the other two groups were given either a mixed oil emulsion (MO) or saline (SC). The septic groups were further divided into two separate time groups, with blood and kidneys samples collected at 24 h or 72 h post-CLP. The results showed that sepsis leads to the activation of neutrophils, T helper (Th)1/Th-2/Th-17 and Treg cells (p < 0.05). Plasma NGAL and mRNA expressions of renal MyD88 and TLR4 were also enhanced (p < 0.05). Compared to the SC group, the group given the fish oil-based emulsion had decreased plasma NGAL by 22% and Treg by 33%. Furthermore, renal gene expressions of MyD88 and TLR4 reduced by 46% and 62%, respectively, whereas heat shock protein 70 and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ increased by 158% and 69%, respectively (p < 0.05), at Day 3 after CLP. These results suggest that administration of a fish oil-based emulsion has favorable effects, maintaining blood T cell percentage, downregulating Treg expression, attenuating systemic and local inflammation and offering renal protection under conditions of antibiotic-treated polymicrobial sepsis.
Insights
Fish oil emulsion reduced kidney injury markers in septic mice. This intervention helped maintain T cell balance and decrease inflammation, offering renal protection.
Area of Science:
- Nephrology
- Immunology
- Critical Care Medicine
Background:
- Acute kidney injury (AKI) frequently complicates sepsis.
- Sepsis triggers immune cell activation and inflammatory responses, contributing to organ damage.
- Understanding interventions for sepsis-induced AKI is crucial.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the efficacy of fish oil-based versus mixed oil fat emulsions in mitigating remote renal injury in a murine model of antibiotic-treated sepsis.
- To investigate the impact of these emulsions on immune cell populations and inflammatory markers.
Main Methods:
- Sepsis was induced via cecal ligation and puncture (CLP) in mice, followed by antibiotic treatment.
- Septic mice received either fish oil (FO) emulsion, mixed oil (MO) emulsion, or saline (SC) intravenously.
- Kidney and plasma samples were collected at 24 and 72 hours post-CLP for analysis.
Main Results:
- Sepsis increased neutrophils, T helper cells (Th1/Th2/Th17), Treg cells, plasma NGAL, and renal MyD88/TLR4 expression.
- Fish oil emulsion significantly decreased plasma NGAL and Treg cell percentage compared to saline.
- Fish oil also reduced renal MyD88 and TLR4 expression while increasing HSP70 and PPAR-γ expression at 72 hours.
Conclusions:
- Fish oil-based emulsion demonstrates renal protective effects in antibiotic-treated polymicrobial sepsis.
- It helps maintain T cell homeostasis, downregulates Treg expression, and attenuates systemic and local inflammation.
- This suggests potential therapeutic benefits of fish oil in managing sepsis-induced AKI.

