AIM:To investigate whether Chinese yellow wine has influences on homocysteine ( Hcy )-induced dysfunction in rat endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs).METHODS:Rat bone marrow was extracted to harvest mononucle-ar cells ( MNCs) by density gradient centrifugation .The MNCs were plated on fibronectin-coated culture dishes , and were induced into EPCs by EGM-2 complete medium supplemented with cell growth factor .The adherent cells were collected 7 d later for all studies .EPCs were characterized as adherent cells double positive for DiI-ac-LDL uptaking and lectin binding by direct fluorescent staining under a laser scanning confocal microscope .The viability, migration, apoptosis and in vitro vasculogenic activity of the EPCs were determined by MTT assay , Transwell chamber assay , apoptosis kit and in vitro vas-culogenesis kit, respectively.RESULTS:Compared with control group, the viability, migration and in vitro vasculogenic capacity of the EPCs in Hcy group were significantly decreased (P<0.01).Compared with Hcy group, yellow wine group and red wine group both significantly improved the viability , migration and in vitro vasculogenic capacity of Hcy-induced EPCs (P<0.01).Compared with control group, yellow wine group and red wine group both significantly improved the a-bove-mentioned functions of EPCs (P<0.05).However, no significant difference of apoptosis in all groups was observed . CONCLUSION:Hcy may result in dysfuction of EPCs .Treatment with yellow wine improves Hcy-induced EPC functions .