Amniotic fluid stem cell attenuated necrotizing enterocolitis progression by promoting Rspo3/AMPKα axis

•Rsop3 was downregulated in NEC in vivo and in vitro samples.•Overexpressing Rspo3 attenuated LPS-induced cell injury and inflammation.•Overexpressing Rspo3 alleviated LPS-induced oxidative stress and intestinal epithelial barrier dysfunction.•Rspo3 overexpression impacted LPS-induced NEC progression via activating AMPKα.•AFSC ameliorated LPS-induced NEC progression via promoting Rspo3 expression in a paracrine manner through exosome.