Temporal relationship between aquaporin-4 and glial fibrillary acidic protein in cerebellum of neonate and adult rats administered a BBB disrupting spider venom

► Phoneutria nigriventer venom effect was studied in the cerebellum of rats. ► The venom increases aquaporin-4 (AQP4) expression in astrocytes. ► The upregulation of AQP4 expression correlates with GFAP upregulation. ► The AQP4 and GFAP showed highest levels in the granular layer. ► There is difference between neonate and adult rats in these effects.