Abstract
Venous insufficiency is still a serious clinical problem. The exact cause and molecular mechanisms of this disease are still unknown. In this study, we try to identify whether there is a difference in the level of trace elements between healthy and pathological veins. Our results show that insufficient veins have different levels of some trace elements: magnesium, calcium, manganese, and silicon compared to control samples. This study could lead to a better understanding of the molecular causes of venous insufficiency and may help to develop better methods of treatment. Nowadays, venous diseases are a very common clinical phenomenon. Venous insufficiency is thought to be one of the most common vein diseases. The exact mechanisms of its etiology are still unknown, although from a clinical point of view some risk factors include gender, age, changing hormone levels, heredity, and standing or sitting for long periods. An imbalance in trace elements could also play a crucial role in the development and/or progression of venous insufficiency. The trace element content in varicose vein walls and in normal vein walls was measured using an inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectrometer (ICP-OES) after sample mineralization. Statistical analysis (the Mann-Whitney U test and the Friedman ANOVA) was performed to compare insufficient veins to controls (healthy veins). This study found statistically significant higher magnesium (Mg) ion levels in varicose veins compared to controls (p = 0.0067) and differences close to statistical significance in calcium (Ca), manganese (Mn), and silicon (Si) ion levels. The results obtained could indicate oxidative stress occurring in chronic venous insufficiency as well as free radical neutralization pathways due to superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity with Mg, Mn and copper (Cu) ion involvement. Our results are consistent with literature data and are preliminary in nature.
Highlights
Venous disease with concomitant varicose veins is presently a very common clinical phenomenon consisting of the destruction of vein valves, backward blood flow and dilated veins.[1]
Our results show that insufficient veins have different levels of some trace elements: magnesium, calcium, manganese, and silicon compared to control samples
This study found statistically significant higher magnesium (Mg) ion levels in varicose veins compared to controls (p = 0.0067) and differences close to statistical significance in calcium (Ca), manganese (Mn), and silicon (Si) ion levels
Summary
Venous disease with concomitant varicose veins is presently a very common clinical phenomenon consisting of the destruction of vein valves, backward blood flow (venous reflux) and dilated veins.[1]. The main destructive factor is venous hypertension, which may lead to the remodeling of vein walls and vein valves.[2,3] It is thought that long-term high pressure in veins may activate matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), initiate coagulation and complement cascades, and activate platelets, leukocytes and macrophages as well.[1,2,4] Matrix metalloproteinases destroy the extracellular matrix, affect smooth muscle cells, and change the properties of the endothelium layer. These processes tend to reduce the flexibility of vein walls. This study could lead to a better understanding of the molecular causes of venous insufficiency and may help to develop better methods of treatment
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