Circular RNA circ_0001105 protects the intestinal barrier of septic rats by inhibiting inflammation and oxidative damage and YAP1 expression

•Circ_0001105 upregulation improved survival of rats with sepsis.•Circ_0001105 upregulation decreased serum D-lactic acid, DAO and FD-40 in septic mice.•Circ_0001105 upregulation decreased the MDA but enhanced SOD.•Circ_0001105 upregulation reduced the production of TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-1β.•Circ_0001105 upregulation reduced the expression of YAP1. The integrity of the intestinal barrier is critical for protecting the host against the intestinal lumen and pathogens. The roles of circRNAs in the intestinal barrier dysfunction in sepsis remained unclear. The present study aims to investigate the role of circ_0001105 in the intestinal mucosal permeability, oxidative damage and morphological changes during sepsis. We found that upregulation of circ_0001105 decreased the levels of serum D-lactic acid, diamine oxidase and fluorescence isothiocyanate dextran in septic rats. Upregulation of circ_0001105 also decreased the malondialdehyde content but enhanced superoxide dismutase activity in the intestinal tissues. Upregulation of circ_0001105 reduced the production of tumor necrosis factor α, interleukin (IL)-6, and IL-1β and the expression of YAP1. Furthermore, upregulation of circ_0001105 improved the survival of rats with sepsis. In summary, our findings showed that circ_0001105 protects the intestinal barrier function of septic rats by inhibiting intestinal inflammation, oxidative damage and YAP1 expression. Our results provide a novel insight for developing sepsis treatment.