Fig. 2.

Infarct size as determined with TTC and Nissl staining and functional outcomes in the control and experimental groups. (ai) TTC-unstained portion of brain tissue (infarction) is reduced in the animals with spleen irradiated at 3 hrs compared to nonirradiated group. (aii) Significant reduction of infarct size (p<0.05, ANOVA) by 61.46% in rats with spleen irradiated with 8 Gy of Co-60 3 hrs after MCAO compared to nonirradiated rats. (bi) Photographs of Nissl staining reveal reduced cerebral infarction (red arrow) in 4 hrs radiation group 7 days after ischemia (magnification bar=1mm). (bii) The results of volumetric analysis of ischemic lesions determined with Nissl stain confirm infarct volume reduction following spleen irradiation at 4 hrs after MCAO (*p<0.05 vs. nonirradiated, ANOVA). Neurological scores, (c) and body weight loss (d) after splenic irradiation show no significant differences between ischemic groups. Significant deterioration of neuroscores and body weight loss are seen predominantly in 6 and 8 hrs irradiation groups as compared to sham operated rats.†p<0.05 vs. 4hrs irradiation group; ‡ p<0.05 vs. 6hrs irradiation group; §p<0.05 vs. 8hrs irradiation group