Fractalkine Profile in Different Regions of the Brain from the Early Postnatal Period to Adolescence

Abstract

In the present study, fractalkine levels were investigated in different brain regions and serum from the early postnatal period to adolescence. Thirty Wistar albino male rats aged 15, 30, and 41 days were used (n = 10 per group). After sacrifice, the prefrontal cortex, hypothalamus, thalamus, striatum, hippocampus, temporal lobe, and serum were analyzed by ELISA. A cumulative increase was observed in the thalamus, temporal lobe, and serum toward adolescence. In contrast, a cumulative decrease was observed in the hippocampus and striatum toward adolescence. The highest fractalkine levels were measured in the prefrontal cortex of 15-day-old rats, in the thalamus of 30-day-old rats, and in the thalamus and cerebellum of 41-day-old rats. Traumas that may occur during early developmental stages can negatively affect fractalkine production and neuroimmunity.