IL6 and brain infarction: At the end of study, brain infarction volume, neuron and glial fibrillary acidic protein- (GFAP-) positive cell density, the oxidative stress status, the expressions of proinflammatory cytokines (NF-κB, IL-6), and eNOS in the cortical area together with the expression of VCAM-1 and the histological changes of common carotid artery were determined.