Human bone marrow‑derived mesenchymal stromal cells (hBMSCs) have been revealed to be beneficial for the regeneration of tissues and cells in several diseases. The present study aimed to elucidate the mechanisms underlying the effect of hBMSC
transplantation on neuron regeneration in a rat model of
middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO). The hBMSCs were isolated, cultured and identified. A rat model of MCAO was induced via the modified Longa method. Neurological severity scores (NSS) were adopted for the evaluation of neuronal function in the model rats after
cell transplantation. Next, the expression levels of
nestin, β‑III‑tubulin (β‑III‑Tub),
glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), HNA and neuronal
nuclear antigen (NeuN) were examined, as well as the positive expression rates of human neutrophil
alloantigen (HNA),
nestin, NeuN, β‑III‑Tub and GFAP. The NSS, as well as the
mRNA and
protein expression of
nestin, decreased at the 1st, 2nd, 4 and 8th weeks, while the
mRNA and
protein expression of NeuN, β‑III‑Tub and GFAP increased with time. In addition,
after treatment, the MCAO rats showed decreased NSS and
mRNA and
protein expression of
nestin, but elevated
mRNA and
protein expression of NeuN, β‑III‑Tub and GFAP at the 2nd, 4 and 8th weeks, and decreased positive expression of HNA and
nestin with enhanced expression of NeuN, β‑III‑Tub and GFAP. Therefore, the present findings demonstrated that hBMSC
transplantation triggered the formation of nerve cells and enhanced neuronal function in a rat model of MCAO.