Chronic Ethanol-Induced Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein (GFAP) Immunoreactivity: An Immunocytochemical Observation in Various Regions of Adult Rat Brain

• Published in: International journal of neuroscience Vol. 119; no. 9; pp. 1303 - 1318
• Main Authors: Dalçik, Hakki, Yardimoglu, Melda, Fi li z, Serdar, Gonca, Süheyla, Dalçik, Cannur, Erden, Beki r Faruk
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Informa UK Ltd 2009; Taylor & Francis
• Subjects: adult rat brain; Animals; Astrocytes - physiology; Brain Chemistry - drug effects; Central Nervous System Depressants - blood; Central Nervous System Depressants - pharmacology; chronic ethanol treatment; Ethanol - blood; Ethanol - pharmacology; glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP); Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein - metabolism; Immunohistochemistry; Male; Rats; Rats, Wistar
• ISSN: 0020-7454; 1563-5279; 1543-5245
• DOI: 10.1080/00207450802333672

In the present study, the effects of chronic ethanol (ETOH) treatment on the glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) immunoreactivity was investigated in adult rat brains. ETOH were administered as increasing concentrations of 2.4%-7.2% (v/v) gradually for 21 days. Immunocytochemistry revealed that chronic-ETOH treatment increased synthesis of GFAP. The increase in the diameter and the number of GFAP (+) cells were statistically significant compared with the control group (p <. 05). An increase of GFAP immunoreactivity was evident in various white matter and gray matter structures. We concluded that functional astrocytic cells responded to chronic ETOH exposure by increasing the synthesis of GFAP.