THE ROLE OF TRACE ELEMENTS IN THE ETHIOLOGY OF VARICOSE VEIN

Kamuran KAZIMOĞLU, Caner ARSLAN, Kürşat BOZKURT, Ayla GÜREL SAYIN, *Meltem ERCAN, **Cengiz KÖKSAL, ***Dildar KONUKOĞLU

İstanbul Üniversitesi, Cerrahpaşa Tıp Fakültesi, Göğüs Kalp ve Damar Cerrahisi Ana Bilim Dalı, İstanbul

*İstanbul Üniversitesi, Cerrahpaşa Tıp Fakültesi, Biofizik Ana Bilim Dalı, İstanbul

**Süreyyapaşa SSK, Göğüs Kalp ve Damar Hastalıkları Hastanesi, Maltepe, İstanbul

***İstanbul Üniversitesi, Cerrahpaşa Tıp Fakültesi, Biokimya Ana Bilim Dalı, İstanbul

Background: Several theories have been proposed regarding the primary abnormality in the occurrence of varicose veins, including biochemical abnormalities, which may alter its physical property. There is, however, no general agreement on the ethiologic factor. In this study we aimed to investigate the trace element and lipid peroxide levels as contributing factors in varicose vein pathology.

Fifteen samples of varicose vein from patients underwent varicose vein surgery and fifteen samples of normal vein from patients underwent coronary bypass grafting were collected. Zinc (Zn), iron (Fe), copper (Cu) and lipid peroxide levels were measured in the vein walls.

Results: Zinc levels were found to be significantly lower and Cu levels significantly higher in varicose vein group. There were no significant difference between control and varicose vein group in terms of Fe levels. Also lipid peroxide levels were significantly higher in varicose vein group.

Conclusion:The results of our study emphasize the imbalance between Zn and Cu levels in the varicose vein walls, which further cause decreased antioxidant capacity and eventually vessel wall damage.

Keywords : Varicose vein, trace element, oxidant stress

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