title: α-smooth muscle actin, fibrillin-1, apoptosis and proliferation detection in primary varicose lower limb veins of women.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The role of SMC apoptosis and proliferation was correlated to the amount of fibrillin and alfa-smooth muscle actin of primary varicose veins.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty varicose vein specimens were atraumatically harvested from 20 women undergoing lower extremity primary varicose vein excision. The patients were divided into groups according to age (<50 years, >50 years) and the presence of leg edema (CEAP, class 2 or 3). The surface density of fibrillin-1 fibers (Sv([Fbn-1])), the volume density of smooth muscle cells: (Vv([SMC])), the number of proliferating and apoptotic cells per area. Quantitative data comparisons between class and age groups were performed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The median value of Vv([SMC]) was 16% greater and the Sv([Fbn-1]) was 35% greater in the intima vein sections from patients up to 50y compared to >50y. Apoptosis was found more frequent in veins sections from varicose women >50y. In the media layer, Sv([Fbn-1]) in veins from patients up to 50y was more important, and women with >50y had also more cells in apoptosis. Vv([SMC]) from women without edema (CEAP-Class 2) was 28% greater in the intima and apoptotic cells were more prominent in the intima of women with edema (CEAP-Class 2). In the media layer, Sv([Fbn-1]) was 12,5% greater in veins from women without edema and apoptosis was more detected in the veins from patients with edema.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Age of the patient may affect the remodeling of varicose veins and SMC quantity in the media layer was found decreased in patients with edema.
authors: Laboratory of Tissue Repair, Histology and Embryology Department, Institute of Biology Roberto Alcantara Gomes, Rio de Janeiro State University, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
authors: A N
authors: AN
authors: Bastos
authors: M M R
authors: MM
authors: Alves
authors: A
authors: A
authors: Monte-Alto-Costa
authors: D G
authors: DG
authors: Machado
authors: G J C
authors: GJ
authors: Cavalcante
authors: M
authors: M
authors: Panico
authors: L C
authors: LC
authors: Porto