Inhibition of extracellular signal-regulated kinase/calpain-2 pathway reduces neuroinflammation and necroptosis after cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury in a rat model of cardiac arrest

•ERK and calpain-2 are activated in cerebral ischemia–reperfusion injury cases.•Neuroinflammation and necroptosis are involved in CIRI induced by CA/CPR.•PD98059 and MDL28170 can inhibit the ERK/calpain-2 pathway.•Inhibition of ERK/calpain-2 can reduce neuroinflammation and necroptosis after CIRI.