mRNA expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines, including IL-6, TNF-α, and CXCL1, were quickly increased after stroke and peaked at 24 h (Fig. 2b, d), whereas IL-1β, COX-2, and MCP-1 levels peaked at 48 h (Fig. 2a, c, e) after stroke. Here, CXCL1 is linked to stroke disorder.