NF-κB controls the expression of genes that encode pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-1), cell surface molecules (ICAM-1), enzymes (MMP-9), and immune receptors.[19] The cytokines formed after ischemia stimulate the expression of adhesion molecules on endothelial cells and leukocytes, leading to leukocyte adhesion and extravasation into brain parenchyma.[20] However, no neutrophil infiltration was observed in the histochemical analysis in our study (Fig 2). Here, MMP9 is linked to ischemia.