Unravelling the Role of MAPKs (ERK1/2) in Venous Reflux in Patients with Chronic Venous Disorder

This study sought to examine whether ERK1/2 plays a role in venous reflux. This was a prospective study performed on 56 participants including 11 healthy controls. Of the CVeD patients, 23 had venous reflux with CVI (CVI-R) and 22 had no reflux (NR). Distribution by age was: controls #x3c;50 years (n = 4) and ≥50 years (n = 7); NR #x3c;50 years (n = 9) and ≥50 years (n = 13); CVI-R #x3c;50 years (n = 11) and ≥50 years (n = 12). Great saphenous vein specimens were subjected to gene (real-time polymerase chain reaction, RT-qPCR) and protein (immunohistochemistry, IHC) expression techniques to identify ERK1/2. Data was compared between groups using the Mann Whitney U test. Patients with CVI showed significant gene activation of ERK1/2 protein, and, in those with venous reflux, the expression of this gene was significantly greater. The CVI-R group #x3c;50 years showed significantly greaterERK1/2 gene expression than their age-matched controls. Expression patterns were consistent with IHC findings. Our studies suggest that ERK1/2 expression is involved in venous vascular disease.Cells Tissues Organs
Source: Cells Tissues Organs - Category: Cytology Source Type: research