Matrix metalloproteinases and tissue inhibitors of matrix metalloproteinases in varicose veins

• Main Authors: Florin Comsa, Cornela Amalinei, Carmen Ardelean, Eduard Crauciuc, Simona Eliza Giusca, Ovidiu Toma, Irina-Draga Caruntu
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: "Alexandru Ioan Cuza" University of Iași 2010-06-01
• Series: Analele Ştiinţifice Ale Universităţii Alexandru Ioan Cuza din Iași,Sectiunea II A : Genetica si Biologie Moleculara
• Online Access: http://www.gbm.bio.uaic.ro/index.php/gbm/article/view/750
• ISSN: 1582-3571; 2248-3276

Recent studies indicate the association of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) transformation from varicose veins with tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases (TIMPs) activity alterations. This study aims to investigate MMPs and TIMPs in varicose veins, corresponding to CEAP II-III stages (simple varices) and CEAP IV-VI (complicated varices), following markers distribution profile, their morphology being associated to the clincal stage. The group of study was composed of 13 patients with varicose disease: 8 cases in CEAP II-III stage, 5 cases in IV-VI CEAP stage. After surgical treatment, the prelevated fragments, fixed in buffered formalin, were paraffin-embedded and initially processed for histopathological examination. In order to perform immunohistochemical analysis, anti-MMP-2, anti-MMP-9, anti- TIMP-1 antibodies were used. For both investigated groups, our results revealed evident differences between the two investigated MMPs. In a small number of analyzed cases we evidentiated an inconstant MMP-2 presence. On the other hand, MMP-9 was expressed in all cases, in a parallel manner to TIMP-1. Consequently, our data indicate a MMP-9 and TIMP-1 involvement in venous insuffiency matrix remodeling.