Mast cell-mediated angiogenesis in chronic venous leg ulcers

ABSTRACT

The male patients, aged 30-55 years, of chronic venous leg ulcers and 10 healthy controls of the same age were studied for angiogenesis and mast cell changes. The surface area [SA] of the newly formed thin walled capillary vessels were counted, using counting graticule, in relation to skin SA. All patients exhibited angiogenesis. The mast cells were greatly increased [57954/mm3] and this increase was highly significant [P <0.01], and their activities were marked