2. Academic Validation
  3. N-acetylglucosamine ameliorates the transition from acute kidney injury to chronic kidney disease by reducing the accumulation of lipid droplets

N-acetylglucosamine ameliorates the transition from acute kidney injury to chronic kidney disease by reducing the accumulation of lipid droplets

  • Int Immunopharmacol. 2026 May 15:177:116463. doi: 10.1016/j.intimp.2026.116463.
Ziyu Tang 1,  Zhongyue Ou 2,  Heng Wan 2,  Mengyuan Tao 3,  Xiaoyang Li 2,  Yefeng Huang 2,  Qing Tan 2,  Qifeng Peng 4,  Lijun Dong 5,  Jianbo Zhao 6
Affiliations

Affiliations

  • 1 Division of Vascular and Interventional Radiology, Department of General Surgery, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510515, China; Division of Interventional Radiology, Department of General Surgery, Nanchong Central Hospital, Nanchong, Sichuan 637000, China.
  • 2 Division of Vascular and Interventional Radiology, Department of General Surgery, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510515, China.
  • 3 Institute of Molecular Immunology, Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Immune Regulation and Immunotherapy, School of Laboratory Medicine and Biotechnology, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510515, China.
  • 4 Division of Vascular and Interventional Radiology, Department of General Surgery, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510515, China. Electronic address: [email protected].
  • 5 Division of Vascular and Interventional Radiology, Department of General Surgery, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510515, China. Electronic address: [email protected].
  • 6 Division of Vascular and Interventional Radiology, Department of General Surgery, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510515, China. Electronic address: [email protected].
PMID: 41850183 DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2026.116463
Abstract

Acute kidney injury (AKI) can advance to chronic kidney disease (CKD) and ultimately to renal fibrosis. Inadequate repair of renal tubular epithelial cells (TECs) after injury is a major driver of fibrosis. N-acetylglucosamine (NAG), a natural bioactive monosaccharide involved in metabolism and glycoprotein synthesis, has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. Here, we identify NAG as a key regulator in the transition from AKI to CKD. In a BIRI mouse model, NAG administration reduces renal damage and fibrosis. We show that NAG preserves lysosomal integrity, thereby preventing mitochondrial dysfunction and lipid droplet accumulation. Taken together, these findings suggest that NAG supplementation could be a therapeutic option for managing the AKI-to-CKD transition and Other conditions associated with kidney dysfunction.

Keywords

AKI; Lipid droplets; N-acetylglucosamine.

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