Middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAo) model and experimental groups

T1DM rats were anesthetized with 2% isoflurane in a chamber for pre-anesthetic, and spontaneously respired with 1.5% isoflurane in 2:1 N₂O:O₂ mixture using a facemask connected and regulated with a modified FLUOTEC 3 Vaporizer (Fraser Harlake). Rectal temperature was maintained at 37°C throughout the surgical procedure using a feedback regulated water heating system. T1DM rats were subject to transient (2 hour) MCAo via intraluminal vascular occlusion as previously described [33, 34]. T1DM stroke rats were randomized (n=7/group) and treated with phosphate buffered saline (PBS-vehicle control) or APX3330 (10 mg/kg, gavage) initiated at 24 hours after MCAo daily for 14 days. Rats were sacrificed at 14 days after MCAo for immunostaining quantification analysis.