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

Figure 2

The activity of circulating EPCs in the four groups. The migratory (a) and proliferative (b) activities of circulating EPCs in male nonsmokers and smokers were lower than those in female premenopausal nonsmokers and smokers. There was no difference in the migratory (a) and proliferative (b) activity between female premenopausal nonsmokers and smokers. Nevertheless, the EPC function in male smokers was lower than that in male nonsmokers. Data are given as mean ± SD. Vs nonsmokers; vs premenopausal women.

(a)

(b)