Compression stockings attenuate the expression of proteins associated with vascular damage in human varicose veins

Abstract

ObjectiveThe objective of this study was to analyze whether compression stocking therapy in the human varicose vein wall may change the levels of biomarkers associated with vein insufficiency. MethodsDilated collateral varicose vein samples were obtained from patients showing chronic venous disease (class 2 of the Clinical, Etiology, Anatomy, and Pathophysiology classification). Before elective surgery, 12 patients underwent compression stocking therapy (for 1 month) and 9 patients did not (control group). Expression levels of biomarkers associated with endothelial functionality (nitric oxide synthase 3), inflammation (interleukin-6, interleukin-10), oxidative stress (Gp91phox subunit of NADPH oxidase), and coagulation (factor Xa) were determined. P-selectin, an inflammatory and thrombosis-related biomarker, was also measured. ResultsCompression stockings increased the content of nitric oxide synthase 3 (control, 16.48 [16.04-17.40] AU; compression, 83.71 [67.70-91.85] AU; P < .001) in the varicose vein wall that was accompanied by reduction of both interleukin-6 levels (control, 38.72 [33.48-48.52] pg/μg protein; compression, 14.49 [11.05-17.41] pg/μg protein; P = .001) and the expression of Gp91phox subunit of NADPH oxidase (control, 63.24 [53.79-77.03] AU; compression, 36.85 [35.66-52.27] AU; P < .010). P-selectin (control, 77.37 [61.86-85.00] AU; compression, 54.31 [49.60-67.50] AU; P = .017) and factor Xa (control, 90.78 [75.02-100.00] AU; compression, 14.50 [13.77-36.20] AU; P < .001) were also reduced in the varicose vein wall of compression stocking-treated patients. However, P-selectin lost its statistical significance after adjustment by dyslipidemia. ConclusionsIn the varicose vein wall, compression stocking therapy improved the content levels of biomarkers associated with endothelial functionality, inflammation, oxidative stress, and coagulation.