Our previous study determined that prominent cerebral vasospasm (CVS) may occur in an in vivo model of subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) in rats. Matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP‑9) expression levels in basilar arteries were upregulated in a similar manner to the development of CVS following SAH. To identify the changes that occur in the contractility of cerebrovascular smooth muscle cells and the expression levels of MMP‑9 in an in vitro model of SAH, rat cerebrovascular smooth muscle cells were isolated, cultured, and then stimulated with hemolysate. Additionally, 2-[(4-phenoxyphenylsulfonyl)methyl]thiirane (SB-3CT), a selective MMP-9 inhibitor, was used to determine the effect of MMP‑9 on the contractility of cerebrovascular smooth muscle cells. Cerebrovascular smooth muscle cells were successfully isolated and cultured in vitro, and hemolysate stimulation enhanced their contractility and increased MMP‑9 expression levels. The present study also revealed that pretreatment with SB‑3CT decreased MMP‑9 expression levels in cerebrovascular smooth muscle cells, and reduced their contractility upon hemolysate treatment. Therefore, the current study confirmed that MMP‑9 is important for the enhancement of the contractility of cerebrovascular smooth muscle cells in an in vitro rat model of SAH.