title: Biomolecular mechanisms in varicose veins development.
abstract: Varicose veins (VVs) can be described as tortuous and dilated palpable veins, which are more than 3 mm in diameter. They are one of the clinical presentations of chronic venous disorders, which are a significant cause of morbidity. The prevalence of VVs has been estimated at 25-33% in women and 10-20% in men and is still increasing at an alarming rate. Family history, older age, female, pregnancy, obesity, standing occupations, and a history of deep venous thrombosis are the predominant risk factors. A great amount of factors are implicated in the pathogenesis of VVs, including changes in hydrostatic pressure, valvular incompetence, deep venous obstruction, ineffective function of calf muscle pump, biochemical and structural alterations of the vessel wall, extracellular matrix abnormalities, impaired balance between growth factors or cytokines, genetic alterations, and several other mechanisms. Nevertheless, the issue of pathogenesis in VVs is still not completely known, even if a great progress has been made in understanding their molecular basis. This kind of studies appears promising and should be encouraged, and perhaps the new insight in this matter may result in targeted therapy or possibly prevention.
authors.affiliation: Department of Histology and Embryology, School of Medicine with the Division of Dentistry, Medical University of Silesia, Zabrze, Poland. Electronic address: oliwka.anna@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Oliwia Anna
authors.initials: OA
authors.lastname: Segiet
authors.affiliation: Department of Histology and Embryology, School of Medicine with the Division of Dentistry, Medical University of Silesia, Zabrze, Poland.
authors.forename: Marlena
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Brzozowa-Zasada
authors.affiliation: Department of Histology and Embryology, School of Medicine with the Division of Dentistry, Medical University of Silesia, Zabrze, Poland.
authors.forename: Adam
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Piecuch
authors.affiliation: Department of Histology and Embryology, School of Medicine with the Division of Dentistry, Medical University of Silesia, Zabrze, Poland.
authors.forename: Damian
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Dudek
authors.affiliation: Department of Histology and Embryology, School of Medicine with the Division of Dentistry, Medical University of Silesia, Zabrze, Poland.
authors.forename: Edyta
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Reichman-Warmusz
authors.affiliation: Department of Histology and Embryology, School of Medicine with the Division of Dentistry, Medical University of Silesia, Zabrze, Poland.
authors.forename: Romuald
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Wojnicz
mesh_terms: D002908:Chronic Disease; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease; D006801:Humans; D012307:Risk Factors; D014648:Varicose Veins / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D014680:Veins / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D014689:Venous Insufficiency / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology