Objectives: To screen and study
circular RNA (
circRNA) expression profiles in QTXZG-mediated treatment of chronic
glomerulonephritis (CGN) induced by
adriamycin in rats and to research the possible roles and molecular mechanisms of QTXZG. Materials and methods: Next-generation
RNA sequencing was used to identify
circRNA expression profiles in CGN after QTXZG treatment compared with a CGN model group and a control group. Bioinformatics analysis was performed to predict potential target
miRNAs and mRNAs. GO and pathway analyses for potential target mRNAs were used to explore the potential roles of differentially expressed (DE)
circRNAs. Results: We identified 31 and 21 significantly DE
circRNAs between the model group vs the control group and the model group vs the QTXZG group, respectively. Four
circRNAs that resulted from the establishment of the CGN model were reversed following treatment with QTXZG. Further analysis revealed that these four
circRNAs may play important roles in the development of CGN. Conclusions: This study elucidated the comprehensive expression profile of
circRNAs in CGN rats after QTXZG treatment for the first time. Analysis of the
circRNA-
miRNA-
mRNA-
ceRNA network to determine potential function provided a comprehensive understanding of
circRNAs that may be involved in the development of CGN. The current study indicated that
therapeutic effects of QTXZG on CGN may be due to regulation of
circRNA expression.