ABSTRACT
AIM: 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. CONCLUSION: 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.
Subject(s)
Apoptosis , Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1/analysis , Saphenous Vein/chemistry , Saphenous Vein/pathology , Varicose Veins/metabolism , Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-2/analysis , Adult , Age Factors , Analysis of Variance , Endothelial Cells/chemistry , Endothelial Cells/pathology , Estonia , Female , Humans , Immunohistochemistry , In Situ Nick-End Labeling , Middle Aged , Muscle, Smooth, Vascular/chemistry , Muscle, Smooth, Vascular/pathology , Myocytes, Smooth Muscle/chemistry , Myocytes, Smooth Muscle/pathology , Saphenous Vein/surgery , Varicose Veins/pathology , Varicose Veins/surgeryABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Gram negative sepsis is reported to induce massive translocation of bacteria into tissues, which associates with decreased macrophage function and increased macrophage apoptosis. AIMS: The objective of this study was to detect the translocation of bacteria into different organs and to evaluate macrophage activity and the apoptosis of macrophages in the liver during different stages of sepsis and to correlate these parameters. MATERIAL: Wistar rats (n = 43) were inoculated intraperitoneally with an E. coli and divided into 5 groups, which were killed at different times. METHODS: Counts of translocated bacteria in tissues were evaluated by using morphological and bacteriological methods. Macrophage activity and apoptotic cells in the liver were studied by applying immunohistochemical methods. RESULTS: The counts of E. coli were the highest in the organs and blood 6 h after the onset of sepsis, being in correlation with the highest counts of apoptotic cells in the liver and the falling counts of activated macrophages. The counts of microbes show a new wave of elevation in tissues by 120th h. CONCLUSIONS: The massive penetration of bacteria, the depressed macrophage response in early sepsis following the increased rate of apoptotic macrophages, the different rate of bacterial multiplication in tissues and blood and the second wave of the multiplication of bacteria in tissues in late sepsis all refer to the significance of developing immune dysfunction.
