The protective effect of OT on brain injury after ischemic stroke was correlated with the increased expression of VEGF, Aquaporin 4 (AQP4), and Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) proteins, reduced leakage from the blood-brain barrier (BBB), decreased inflammatory mediators TNF-α and IL-1β, and reduced cell death and apoptosis (117, 118). Here, BDNF is linked to ischemic stroke.