Related Experiment Video

Updated: Feb 8, 2026

Dietary Supplementation of Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids in Caenorhabditis elegans
09:38

Dietary Supplementation of Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids in Caenorhabditis elegans

Published on: November 29, 2013

17.6K

Critical Evaluation of Gene Expression Changes in Human Tissues in Response to Supplementation with Dietary Bioactive

Biljana Pokimica1, María-Teresa García-Conesa2

  • 1Center of Research Excellence in Nutrition and Metabolism, Institute for Medical Research, University of Belgrade, Belgrade 11000, Serbia. biljana.pokimica@hotmail.com.

Nutrients
|June 23, 2018
PubMed

Insights

Human clinical trials investigating plant compounds show gene expression changes. This review highlights methodological gaps and variability, emphasizing the need for standardized approaches in nutrigenomics research.

Area of Science:

  • Nutrigenomics
  • Molecular Biology
  • Human Clinical Trials

Background:

  • Pre-clinical studies suggest plant bioactive compounds modulate gene transcription.
  • Demonstrating these effects in humans is crucial for understanding health benefits.
  • Gene expression analysis is a key method in nutrigenomic research.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review human studies on gene expression changes induced by dietary bioactive compounds.
  • To critically appraise study designs, methodologies, and reported gene expression results.
  • To identify limitations and variability in current research.

Main Methods:

  • Systematic review of 75 human studies.
  • Analysis of gene expression changes using quantitative reverse transcription PCR (RT-qPCR).
  • Critical appraisal of study design, methodology, and reported outcomes.

Main Results:

  • Significant interindividual variability in gene expression results was observed.
  • Gaps and drawbacks in experimental strategies were identified.
  • Limited evidence supports some investigated genes as reliable responsive targets.

Conclusions:

  • Current human studies on nutrigenomics face methodological challenges.
  • Standardized procedures and guidelines are essential for reliable results.
  • Future research requires improved methodologies for biologically meaningful insights.
Keywords:
RT-qPCRhealth effectshuman tissuesinterindividual variabilitymRNA levelsplant food bioactives

More Related Videos

Therapeutic Effectiveness of a Dietary Supplement for Management of Halitosis in Dogs07:33

Therapeutic Effectiveness of a Dietary Supplement for Management of Halitosis in Dogs

Published on: July 6, 2015

12.0K
Using an Automated Cell Counter to Simplify Gene Expression Studies: siRNA Knockdown of IL-4 Dependent Gene Expression in Namalwa Cells10:34

Using an Automated Cell Counter to Simplify Gene Expression Studies: siRNA Knockdown of IL-4 Dependent Gene Expression in Namalwa Cells

Published on: April 14, 2010

16.0K

Related Concept Videos

What is Gene Expression?01:42

What is Gene Expression?

Overview
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...
196.9K
What is Gene Expression?01:36

What is Gene Expression?

A gene is a stretch of DNA that serves as the blueprint for functional RNAs and proteins. Since DNA is comprised  of nucleotides and proteins are comprised of amino acids, a mediator is required to convert the information encoded in DNA into proteins. This mediator is the messenger RNA (mRNA). mRNA copies the blueprint from DNA by a process called transcription. In eukaryotes, transcription occurs in the nucleus by complementary base-pairing with the DNA template. The mRNA is then...
11.5K
Chromatin Position Affects Gene Expression02:35

Chromatin Position Affects Gene Expression

Chromatin is the massive complex of DNA and proteins packaged inside the nucleus. The complexity of chromatin folding and how it is packaged inside the nucleus greatly influences  access to genetic information. Generally, the nucleus' periphery is considered transcriptionally repressive, while the cell's interior is considered a transcriptionally active area. 
Topologically Associated Domains (TADs)
The 3-dimensional positioning of chromatin in the nucleus influences the...
24.9K
Cell Specific Gene Expression01:58

Cell Specific Gene Expression

Multicellular organisms contain a variety of structurally and functionally distinct cell types, but the DNA in all the cells originated from the same parent cells. The differences in the cells can be attributed to the differential gene expression. Liver cells, whose functions include detoxification of blood, production of bile to metabolize fats, and synthesis of proteins essential for metabolism, must express a specific set of genes to perform their functions. Gene expression also varies with...
16.6K
Cancer-Critical Genes II: Tumor Suppressor Genes01:05

Cancer-Critical Genes II: Tumor Suppressor Genes

Genes usually encode proteins necessary for the proper functioning of a healthy cell. Mutations can often cause changes to the gene expression pattern, thereby altering the phenotype.
When the function of certain critical genes, especially those involved in cell cycle regulation and cell growth signaling cascades, gets disrupted, it upsets the cell cycle progression. Such cells with unchecked cell cycles start proliferating uncontrollably and eventually develop into tumors.
Such genes that act...
9.8K
mRNA Stability and Gene Expression02:51

mRNA Stability and Gene Expression

The structure and stability of mRNA molecules regulates gene expression, as mRNAs are a key step in the pathway from gene to protein. In eukaryotes, the half-life of mRNA varies from a few minutes up to several days. mRNA stability is essential in growth and development. The absence of the proteins regulating its stability, such as tristetraprolin in mice, can cause systemic issues, including bone marrow overgrowth, inflammation, and autoimmunity.
Cis-acting Elements involved in mRNA stability
6.7K