title: High hydrostatic pressure upon the vasa vasorum of the greater saphenous and splenic vein walls: a comparative study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Hypoxia and high hydrostatic pressure can induce an increase in the thickness of the tunica media and intima; secondary vasa vasorum (VV) increase to fit the remodeling of the vessel wall. We aimed to investigate the impact of high hydrostatic pressure on VV in the varicose greater saphenous veins (VGSVs) and diseased splenic veins (DSVs).
  
  
  METHODS
  We collected 34 VGSVs and DSVs. Thirty-four normal greater saphenous veins (GSVs) and splenic veins (SVs) were also collected (control group). Samples were cut into slices, and observed under both light and electron microscopy. The mean density and cross-sectional areas of the VV in the adventitia were measured.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In both VGSVs and DSVs, VV density increased, in the adventitia and exterior tunica media, offering an intensive linear distribution. However, sporadic distribution of the interior tunica media and intima were seen on light microscopy. The integrated structure of the cell nucleus of endothelial cells in VV, normal morphology and distribution of chromatin, partially hyperchromatic mitochondria matrix, fuzzy or fractured mitochondria cristae, and medullary cristae changes were observed by electron microscopy. Mean density and cross-sectional areas of VV in the adventitia of GSVs and SVs were significantly different.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Under high hydrostatic pressure conditions, the number of VV were increased in the wall of VGSVs and DSVs. There was heterogeneity between both types of veins. The splenic vein has a higher number of VV, but the greater saphenous vein has a higher average cross-sectional area. The same ultrastructural changes are seen in the endothelial cells of the VV in both vessels.
authors.affiliation: Department of Patholog, 89th Hospital of PLA, Weifang, China - xiaojizhu@163.com.
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Tao
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Wei
authors.forename: X
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Rui
authors.forename: Z
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Xiaoji
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Haibo
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Lingyan
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Meihong
authors.forename: X
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Yongbo
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D042783:Endothelial Cells / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006874:Hydrostatic Pressure; D008297:Male; D046529:Microscopy, Electron, Transmission; D008875:Middle Aged; D012501:Saphenous Vein / Q000473:pathology*; D013162:Splenic Vein / Q000473:pathology*; D017539:Tunica Intima / Q000473:pathology; D017540:Tunica Media / Q000473:pathology; D014648:Varicose Veins / Q000473:pathology*; D014651:Vasa Vasorum / Q000473:pathology*; D055815:Young Adult