Figure 8.

Illustration of middle cerebral artery occlusion and injection. (a) Insertion of nylon filament for MCAO. The CCA was ligated permanently while the ECA and ICA were temporarily ligated to stop blood flow. A small incision was made in the CCA for the filament insertion. The silicone-coated filament was inserted until it reached the MCA. The artery was occluded for 90 min. Then the filament was removed for reperfusion; (b) Insertion of polyethylene tubing for injection of LE or vehicle. The polyethylene tubing was inserted near to the MCA. After injection, the tubing was removed and the CCA near the bifurcation was permanently ligated. The temporary ligations on the ICA and ECA were removed. Abbreviations: CCA—common carotid artery, ECA—external carotid artery, ICA—internal carotid artery, MCA—middle cerebral artery.