An improved method for isolation of RNA from rat femur.

Background: RNA isolation from ossified bone is a difficult and time-consuming process which often results in poor recovery of RNA. The yield is limited and might not be suitable for gene quantification studies by real time PCR.

Methodology: The present study demonstrates RNA extraction from rat femur utilizing the silica column along with the trizol reagent. Quality of RNA was assessed by agarose gel analysis and its suitability for real-time PCR analysis was determined by β-actin Ct values.

Results: The RNA isolated using silica columns in conjugation with trizol reagent resulted in higher yield of RNA and purity (A260/280=2.04; yield =1545.73 µg/ml) compared to the trizol method alone (A260/280=1.85; yield =571.2 µg/ml). Ct value of β actin obtained from RNA isolated by trizol method was higher than the Ct value obtained by trizol in conjugation with the column method (31.41 and 15.41 respectively).

Conclusion: Combination of trizol along with silica column resulted in better quality and improved yield of RNA suitable for gene quantification by Real time PCR.