Reducing Glucocorticoid Burden in Lupus with Omega-3 Fatty Acids: Docosahexaenoic Acid Augments Prednisone Efficacy in Maintaining Cyclophosphamide-Induced Remission of Preclinical Lupus Nephritis.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Managing lupus nephritis (LN) remains challenging due to relapses after immunosuppressive induction and toxicity from long-term glucocorticoid (GC) maintenance therapy. Dietary omega-3 fatty acids prevent LN onset in preclinical models, but their role in maintaining remission post-induction remains unstudied.

Methods

The silica-accelerated LN (SALN) model using lupus-prone NZBWF1 mice was used to evaluate how docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), an omega-3 fatty acid, influenced LN remission durability after cyclophosphamide (CYC) induction, alone or with a moderate dose of prednisone (PDN). Mice received intranasal silica weekly from 8 to 11 weeks. After LN developed at 21 weeks, groups were injected weekly with CYC (human equivalent dose [HED]=31 mg/day) or vehicle (VEH)

SUBMITTER: Anderson AN 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12803187 | biostudies-literature | 2026 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature