muscles using RNX TM isolation reagent according to
the manufacturer’s procedure (CinaClon, Iran). Possible
DNA contamination was removed by treatment of
RNA (1 µg) with DNase I (2 U/µl) for 1 hour at 37oC
(Vivantis, Malaysia). Concentration of extracted RNA
was calculated at the wavelength of 260 nm using
NanoDrop spectrophotometer (Eppendorf, Germany). To
detect the purity of RNA, its optical density (OD) ratio at
260/280 nm was determined and samples having a ratio
>1.8 were used for cDNA synthesis. Reverse transcription
was carried out using the RocketScript RT PreMix kit
using 1 µg of RNA and random hexamer primers based
on manufacturer’s protocol (Bioneer Corporation, South
Korea). Reverse transcription was carried out at 42°C for
90 minutes followed by incubation at 70°C for 5 minutes.
cDNAs were stored at -20°C until used for real-time
polymerase chain reaction (PCR).