Figure 1.

Experimental protocol used to determine the effect of Postconditioning after the embolic model middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO). Sham indicates sham-operated rats; Control, rats subjected to embolic stroke and followed for 48 hr; Postconditioning, rats treated with ischemic Postconditioning after 30 min of stroke induction and followed for 48 hr. Postconditioning was induced by 5 cycles of occluding and releasing common carotid arteries for 10 or 30 sec, respectively. O and R indicate Occluding and Reopening, respectively