Figure 2. Effects of normobaric oxygen and melatonin exposure on neurological deficits, infarct volume, brain swelling and blood-brain barrier permeability.

A. Laser Doppler flow (LDF) above the core of the MCA territory, B. infarct volume, C. neurological deficits, D. brain swelling and E. blood-brain barrier permeability evaluated by serum IgG extravasation in mice submitted to 90 min of intraluminal MCAo, which induces brain infarcts of the striatum and overlying cortex [22]. During the first 90 min of reperfusion, mice had been exposed to 21% (ambient air), 70% and 100% NBO. Vehicle or melatonin (4 mg/kg) was intraperitoneally administered after reperfusion onset, and mice were sacrificed 24 hours later. Note that the absence of synergistic effects of combined NBO and melatonin exposure on neurological deficits, infarct volume, brain swelling and blood-brain barrier permeability. Data are mean ± SD values (n = 7-8 mice/group). **p < 0.01/*p < 0.05 compared with corresponding mice exposed to 21% NBO; ^#p < 0.05 compared with corresponding mice exposed to 70% NBO; †p < 0.05 compared with corresponding mice receiving vehicle.