Aim:To investigate whether aspirin has an influence on endothelial progenitor cells (EPC).Methods:Total mononuclear cells (MNC) were isolated from peripheral blood by Ficoll density gradient centrifugation,then cells were plated on fibronectin-coated culture dishes.After 7 d of culture,attached cells were stimulated with aspirin (to achieve final concentrations of 1,2,5,and 10 mmol/L) for 3,6,12,and 24 h.EPC were characterized as adherent cells that were double positive for 1,1-dioctadecyl-3,3,3,3-tetramethylindocarbocyanine low density lipoprotein (DiLDL) uptake and lectin binding by direct fluorescent staining.EPC proliferation and migration were assayed using a 3- (4,5-dimethyl-2 thiazoyl) -2,5-diphenyl-2H-tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay and a modified Boyden chamber assay.respectively.An EPC adhesion assay was performed by replating the EPC on fibronectin-coated dishes,and then adherent cells were counted.In vitro vasculogenesis activity was assayed by using an in vitro vasculogenesis kit. Inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) was assayed by Westem blotting.Results:Incubation of isolated human MNC with aspirin decreased the number of EPC.Aspirin also decreased the proliferative,migratory,adhesive,and in vitro Vasculogenesis capacity of EPC,and also their iNOS levels in a concentration-and time-dependent manner.Conclusion:Aspirin decreases (1) the number of EPC; (2) the proliferative,migratory,adhesive and in vitro vasculogenesis capacities of EPC;and (3) iNOS levels in EPC.