Research Article

Dual Effects of Cigarette Smoke Extract on Proliferation of Endothelial Progenitor Cells and the Protective Effect of 5-aza-2′-deoxycytidine on EPCs against the Damage Caused by CSE

Figure 4

The effects of cigarette smoke extract (CSE) on endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs). The capacity of EPCs (measured by optical density (OD) levels) was significantly increased with stimulations of 1.0% CSE and 2.5% CSE but decreased with interventions of 5.0% CSE and 10.0% CSE for 3 hours (h) compared to that of controls ( ). The OD levels were significantly increased in EPCs with stimulation of 1.0% CSE but decreased in the cells with interventions of 2.5% CSE, 5.0% CSE, and 10.0% CSE for 6 h compared to those of controls ( ). The OD levels were significantly decreased in the EPCs with interventions of 1.0% CSE, 2.5% CSE, 5.0% CSE, and 10.0% CSE for 24 h compared to those of controls ( ).
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