mRNA levels of GLT-1 and GLAST in the sham (n=12), EPO-sham (n=10), MCAO (n=12) and EPO-MCAO (n=11) groups were detected via the reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction following cerebral ischemia/reperfusion. (A) Representative gel photograph of GLT-1 and GLAST mRNA bands in each group. (B) Relative expression values of GLT-1 and GLAST are presented as the mean ± standard deviation. aP<0.01 vs. the sham group at the same reperfusion time; bP<0.01 vs. the MCAO group at the same reperfusion time. EPO, erythropoietin; MCAO, middle cerebral artery occlusion; GLT-1, glutamate transporter 1; GLAST, glutamate aspartate transporter.