NFE2L2 and ischemia: To investigate the role of Nrf2 in protection against AIS of NQ, Nrf2 inhibitor ML385 was used to inhibit the activation of Nrf2. The CBF decreased at 60 min of ischemia and increased but not to normal levels at 60 min of reperfusion in MCAO, MCAO + ML385, NQ and NQ + ML385 groups (Figures 5A, B).