Eicosapentaenoic Acid (EPA) Alleviates LPS-Induced Oxidative Stress via the PPARα–NF-κB Axis

Abstract

Metabolic-endotoxemia, characterized by the translocation of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) from Gram-negative bacteria into the bloodstream, is a key contributor to chronic low-grade inflammation associated with obesity and type 2 diabetes. This condition exacerbates metabolic disruptions by activating Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) on macrophages, leading to the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines and subsequent insulin resistance. Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA; C20:5 (n-3)), an omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid, has demonstrated anti-inflammatory and antioxidative properties, but its precise mechanisms of action in mitigating LPS-induced stress remain unclear. This study investigates the pathways through which C20:5 (n-3) alleviates LPS-induced oxidative stress and inflammation in macrophages. C20:5 (n-3) pretreatment significantly reduced LPS-induced inflammatory responses, decreasing IL-1β and IL-6 expression and IL-1β secretion, and lowering the percentage of HLA-DR+ macrophages. C20:5 (n-3) also attenuated ER stress, evidenced by reduced expression of ATF4, DDIT3, HSPA5/GRP78, BIP, and CHOP at both gene and protein levels. Oxidative stress was mitigated, as shown by decreased HIF1α expression, reduced ROS levels, and preservation of mitochondrial membrane potential. Importantly, C20:5 (n-3) increased the expression of PPARα and FABP5 while inhibiting NF-κB activation independently of the TLR4-IRF5 pathway. The protective effects of C20:5 (n-3) was abolished by PPARα inhibition with GW9662, indicating that C20:5 (n-3)’s action is PPARα-dependent. This study highlights the modulatory role of C20:5 (n-3) in alleviating LPS-induced oxidative stress and inflammation in macrophages through activation of the FABP5/PPARα/NF-κB axis, independently of TLR4-IRF5 signaling. These findings reveal a novel mechanism for C20:5 (n-3)’s anti-inflammatory effects and suggest that targeting the FABP5/PPARα pathway may offer therapeutic potential for treating metabolic disorders associated with chronic inflammation.