Total RNA-isolation of abdominal hernia of rats for quantitative real-time reverse transcription (RT) PCR assays

Increasing complications in incisional hernia surgery calls for novel treatments. A gene expression analysis of injured tissues displays important parameters for the tissue regeneration. For example, gene expression analyses of collagen types I and III and TGF-beta 1 can support evaluations of the hernia healing process. Until today, no reliable method has been described for a quantitative gene expression analysis of hernia tissues. In this work, a protocol is described for the isolation of DNA-free total RNA of incisional hernias for the first time. Moreover, real-time RT PCR assays for collagen types I and III and TGF-beta 1 are demonstrated for relative gene expression analyses. Both methods enable relative gene expression analyses of hernia tissues. This tool will support the development of novel hernia treatments in the future.