Smoking-Induced Inhibition of Number and Activity of Endothelial Progenitor Cells and Nitric Oxide in Males Were Reversed by Estradiol in Premenopausal Females

Figure 1

The number of circulating EPCs in the four groups, evaluated by (a) FACS analysis and using (b) phase-contrast fluorescent microscope; the number of circulating EPCs in male nonsmokers and smokers was lower than those in female premenopausal nonsmokers and smokers. The EPC number in male smokers was lower than that in female premenopausal smokers. However, no significant difference in the level of number of circulating EPCs between female premenopausal nonsmokers and smokers was found. Data are given as mean ± SD. Vs nonsmokers; vs premenopausal women.

(a)

(b)