3.1 NSC-Exos improved the neurological deficits and reduced the infarct size in MCAO model rats
To investigate the neuroprotective effects of NSC-Exos, navigational impairment and balance beam tests were performed on MCAO model rats. Compared with Sham group, IRI group and PBS group had obvious symptoms of nerve dysfunction, basically could not be stabilized on balance beam, and nerve dysfunction score was significantly increased (P< 0.01). Compared with IRI group and PBS group, the motor function of NSC-Exos group was restored, and the balance beam was basically grasped, and the neurological function deficit score was decreased (P< 0.05, Fig. 1a, b). TTC staining was used to assess the extent of infarction, in which normal tissue is red and infarct tissue is white. Compared with Sham group, IRI group and PBS group had obvious white infarct areas and the infarct size increased significantly (P< 0.01). Compared with IRI group and PBS group, NSC-Exos group showed a small number of infarcts and decreased infarct size (P <0.01, Fig. 1c, d). There was no significant difference between IRI group and PBS group (P>0.05).