Related Experiment Video
Updated: Feb 14, 2026

Analysis of Gene Expression Changes in the Rat Hippocampus After Deep Brain Stimulation of the Anterior Thalamic Nucleus
Published on: March 8, 2015
Effect of quercetin on the brain-derived neurotrophic factor gene expression in the rat brain
Introduction:
Quercetin is a ubiquitous flavonoid found in many plants. Neuroprotective effects of quercetin have been shown in several in vitro and in vivo studies, but its mechanism of action has not been fully defined yet. Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is a fundamental neurotrophin with vital functions in the survival of neuronal cells. In the present study, we aimed to investigate the effects of quercetin on expression of BDNF mRNA in the hippocampus of rat brain.
Methods:
Male rats were daily gavaged with quercetin (10, 20 or 50 mg/kg·bwt) for 30 days. Hippocampal levels of the BDNF transcripts were assessed using quantitative (q) RT-PCR.
Results:
Quercetin at doses of 20 and 50 mg/kg caused a significant increase in the mRNA expression of BDNF as compared with the control group. Quercetin treatment at a dose of 10 mg/kg failed to cause any significant changes in the levels of BDNF mRNA CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest that the neuroprotective effects of quercetin may be at least partly due to its inducing effects on the expression levels of the BDNF mRNA (Fig. 1, Ref. 40).
Related Concept Videos
Cell Specific Gene Expression
Cell Specific Gene Expression
What is Gene Expression?
Gene expression is the process in which DNA directs the synthesis of functional products, that is, proteins. Cells can regulate gene expression at various stages. It allows organisms to generate different cell types and enables cells to adapt to internal and external factors.
Genetic Information Flows from DNA to RNA to Protein
A gene is a stretch of DNA that serves as the blueprint for functional RNAs and proteins. Since DNA is made up of nucleotides and proteins consist of amino...
What is Gene Expression?
Chromatin Position Affects Gene Expression
Topologically Associated Domains (TADs)
The 3-dimensional positioning of chromatin in the nucleus influences the...
mRNA Stability and Gene Expression
Cis-acting Elements involved in mRNA stability

