To evaluate the value of peripheral blood miRNA-21 and miRNA-192 in the prediction of early renal function impairment in chronic glomerulonephritis.

A total of 76 patients who were diagnosed with chronic glomerulonephritis and treated at the Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University from January 2019 to June 2021 were selected as the study group. According to the glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), they were divided into either an early renal impairment group (49 cases) or an intermediate renal impairment group (27 cases). Seventy volunteers who underwent healthy physical examination at the Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University from January 2019 to June 2021 were selected as a control group. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells were collected from all patients to measure the relative expression of miRNA-21 and miRNA-192 by real-time fluorescent quantitative PCR (qRT-PCR). The relative expression levels of miRNA-21 and miRNA-192 as well as the changes in renal function indicators were compared among the groups. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was performed to assess the diagnostic value of miRNA-21 and miRNA-192 for renal impairment. Pearson correlation was used to analyze the correlation of miRNA-21 and miRNA-192 with renal function impairment.

The expression of miRNA-21 and miRNA-192 in peripheral blood mononuclear cells was significantly higher in the intermediate renal impairment group and the early renal impairment group than in the control group, and in the intermediate renal impairment group than in the early renal impairment group (P＜0.05). Blood creatinine and urea nitrogen levels were significantly higher in the intermediate renal impairment group and the early renal impairment group than in the control group, and in the intermediate renal impairment group than in the early renal impairment group (P＜0.05). ROC curve analysis showed that the sensitivity of miRNA-21 and miRNA-192 for predicting renal damage was 67.44% and 60.98%, and the specificity was 60.61% and 51.43%, respectively. The sensitivity and specificity of miRNA-21 combined with miRNA-192 for predicting early renal impairment were 94.18% and 86.27%, respectively. miRNA-21 and miRNA-192 were positively correlated with renal function impairment (P＜0.05).

The expression of miRNA-21 and miRNA-192 is higher in patients with chronic glomerulonephritis with more severe renal impairment. Combined detection of miRNA-21 and miRNA-192 has appreciated predictive value for early renal impairment.