TNF and Stroke: 24hr after reperfusion, expression of mRNAs encoding for the pro-inflammatory cytokine tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFα), its receptor TNFRSF1A and its downstream target, the intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (ICAM1) were significantly upregulated in the lesioned hemisphere compared to the control hemisphere in the ad libitum group, but not in the fasted group (Fig 2C), suggesting attenuation of the inflammatory response to stroke in fasted rats.