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

Figure 3

The plasma NO, VEGF, and GM-CSF levels in the four groups. (a) The plasma NO level in male nonsmokers and smokers was lower than that in female premenopausal nonsmokers and smokers. No difference in plasma NO level between female nonsmokers and smokers was found. The plasma NO level in male smokers was lower than that in male smokers. (b) There was no significant difference in the plasma VEGF level between the four groups. (c) There was no significant difference in the plasma GM-CSF level between the four groups. Data are given as mean ± SD. vs nonsmokers; vs premenopausal women.

(a)

(b)

(c)