Fig. 5. ( A ) Representative sections of cleaved caspase-3–positive cells in the inner boundary zone of the infarct in control ( a–d ) and sevoflurane-preconditioned ( e–h ) rats 1 ( a, e ), 3 ( b, f ), 7 ( c, g ), and 14 ( d, h ) days after middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO). Scale bar = 40 μm. ( B ) Number of cleaved caspase-3–positive cells/mm2in the inner boundary zone of the infarct in control ( black bars ) and sevoflurane-preconditioned ( gray bars ) groups 1, 3, 7, and 14 days after MCAO is presented. The number of cleaved caspase-3–positive cells was significantly decreased 3 and 7 days after ischemia compared to the control group. n = 8 per day and group. Data are presented as mean ± SD. * P < 0.05 versus control group.