Generation of reactive oxygen metabolites by the varicose vein wall.
OBJECTIVE
to evaluate the content of lipid peroxidation products (expressed by the concentration of thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances; TBARS), the content of myeloperoxidase (MPO), and the localisation of xanthine oxidase (XO) in varicose veins (vv), varicose veins with superficial thrombophlebitis and unchanged saphenous veins.


METHODS
varicose saphenous veins, varicose veins with superficial thrombophlebitis and normal saphenous veins obtained during varicose vein surgery on 36 patients as well as healthy saphenous veins from cadaver organ donors (control). Homogenates were prepared in which TBARS concentration and MPO content were determined. Immunohistochemical staining to detect XO was also performed.


RESULTS
the highest concentration of TBARS occurred in vv with superficial thrombophlebitis, the lowest in donor vein. The highest content of MPO was observed in vv and slightly lower - in varicose veins with thrombophlebitis. A positive reaction for XO was seen in vv wall endothelium. Specimens of vv with thrombophlebitis revealed strong, intense staining in endothelium as well as in vasa vasorum.


CONCLUSIONS
varicose veins, especially those complicated with superficial thrombophlebitis revealed increased free radical generation. Its sources might be neutrophils, and in vv complicated with superficial thrombophlebitis-xanthine oxidase.
Glowinski
J
J
Department of Vascular Surgery and Transplantology, Medical University of Bialystok, Poland.
Glowinski
S
S
D000328:Adult; D004730:Endothelium, Vascular / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D015227:Lipid Peroxidation / Q000502:physiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009195:Peroxidase / Q000737:chemistry; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism*; D012501:Saphenous Vein / Q000378:metabolism; D017392:Thiobarbituric Acid Reactive Substances / Q000737:chemistry; D013924:Thrombophlebitis / Q000378:metabolism; D014648:Varicose Veins / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000503:physiopathology; D014969:Xanthine Oxidase / Q000737:chemistry
D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species; D017392:Thiobarbituric Acid Reactive Substances; D009195:Peroxidase; D014969:Xanthine Oxidase