2,3,5‐Triphenyl‐2H‐tetrazolium chloride (TTC) staining
Rats were sacrificed 24 h after reperfusion. Brains were quickly removed and cut into 2-mm thick coronal slices for TTC staining. Infarct and oedema volume were detected using TTC staining. The infarct volume was calculated as follows: (contralateral hemisphere volume - undamaged ipsilateral hemisphere)/contralateral hemisphere volume × 100%. Volume calculation with oedema correction as follows: (ipsilateral hemisphere volume-contralateral hemisphere volume)/contralateral hemisphere volume × 100%.