Venous insufficiency: Differences in the content of trace elements. A preliminary report

Abstract

Background. Venous insufciency is still a serious clinical problem. The exact cause and molecular mechanisms of this disease are still unknown. In this study, we try to identify whether there is a difference in the level of trace elements between healthy and pathological veins. Our results show that insufcient veins have different levels of some trace elements: Magnesium, calcium, manganese, and silicon compared to control samples. This study could lead to a better understanding of the molecular causes of venous insufciency and may help to develop better methods of treatment. Objectives. Nowadays, venous diseases are a very common clinical phenomenon. Venous insufciency is thought to be one of the most common vein diseases. The exact mechanisms of its etiology are still unknown, although from a clinical point of view some risk factors include gender, age, changing hormone levels, heredity, and standing or sitting for long periods. An imbalance in trace elements could also play a crucial role in the development and/or progression of venous insufciency. Material and methods. The trace element content in varicose vein walls and in normal vein walls was measured using an inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectrometer (ICP-OES) after sample mineralization. Statistical analysis (the Mann-Whitney U test and the Friedman ANOVA) was performed to compare insufcient veins to controls (healthy veins). Results. This study found statistically signifcant higher magnesium (Mg) ion levels in varicose veins compared to controls (p = 0.0067) and differences close to statistical signifcance in calcium (Ca), manganese (Mn), and silicon (Si) ion levels. Conclusions. The results obtained could indicate oxidative stress occurring in chronic venous insufciency as well as free radical neutralization pathways due to superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity with Mg, Mn and copper (Cu) ion involvement. Our results are consistent with literature data and are preliminary in nature.