EPCs were transfected with miR-138 mimics or miR-NC as a negative control. (A) Reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction was performed to determine the expression of miR-138 in EPCs in each group. (B) An MTT assay was performed to determine EPC proliferation in each group cultured under hypoxia for 12, 24, 48, 72 and 96 h. **P<0.01 vs. control. EPC, endothelial progenitor cells; miR, microRNA; miR-NC, scramble miR mimics.