title: Age-related changes in apoptosis and expressions of intercellular adhesion molecule-1 and vascular endothelial growth factor receptor type 2 in the wall of varicose veins.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Dysregulated apoptosis in the venous wall is believed to play important role in the onset and progression of human primary varicose veins. The aim of our study was to in situ investigate the apoptosis of endothelial cells (EC) and smooth muscle cells (SMC) together with the expression of intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) and vascular endothelial growth factor receptor type 2 (VEGF R2) in the varicose veins of women of different age groups.
  
  
  METHODS
  Women (n=34) undergoing surgery for varicosities were divided into three groups: Group I (younger than 35 year); Group II (36-50 years); Group III (older than 50 years). Apoptotic EC and SMC were determined by the TUNEL method. ICAM-1 and VEGF R2 were detected immunohistochemically in the endothelium, the subendothelial layer, the media and the adventitia.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The number of apoptotic EC and SMC rose in the group of older patients (Group III vs Group I; P<0.01 and P<0.05, respectively). In the same group ICAM-1 immunostaining was increased in the endothelium, but decreased in the media and the adventitia, while VEGF R2 staining was increased in the endothelium, the subendothelial layer and the media, but decreased in the adventitia.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In conclusion, our study demonstrated that apoptosis of EC and SMC increase in varicose veins with advancing age and age-related differences exist also in the expression of ICAM-1 and VEGF R2 in the wall of varicose veins of women.
authors.affiliation: Department of Anatomy, University of Tartu, 19 Ravila Street, Tartu, Estonia. helle-evi.simovart @ut.ee
authors.forename: H E
authors.initials: HE
authors.lastname: Simovart
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Aunapuu
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Lieberg
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Roosaar
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Arend
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D017209:Apoptosis; D042783:Endothelial Cells / Q000737:chemistry / Q000473:pathology; D004957:Estonia; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D020287:In Situ Nick-End Labeling; D018799:Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1 / Q000032:analysis*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009131:Muscle, Smooth, Vascular / Q000737:chemistry / Q000473:pathology; D032389:Myocytes, Smooth Muscle / Q000737:chemistry / Q000473:pathology; D012501:Saphenous Vein / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D014648:Varicose Veins / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D040301:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-2 / Q000032:analysis*
chemical_list: D018799:Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1; D040301:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-2