8-epi-PGF2α and 6-oxo-PGF1α in human (varicose) veins:: Influence of age, sex, and risk factors

The isoprostane 8-epi PGF(2alpha) is a vasoconstrictive, mitogenic, proliferative, and mild proaggregatory agent. We examined 8-epi-PGF(2alpha) and 6-oxo-PGF(1alpha) from venous tissue derived from varicose (venous) surgery by means of a specific radioimmunoassay. A total of 336 samples from 82 patients (50 females, 32 males; aged 22-68 years) were examined. Tissue samples were classified according to normal, dilated, and varicose. Of these, 94 samples from 31 patients (20 females, 11 males; aged 29-64 years) with additional risk factors (cigarette smoking, hyperlipidemia, diabetes mellitus) were determined in the same way. Mean absolute values for 6-oxo-PGF(1alpha) are not significantly higher for dilated segments followed by varicose and intact samples. No significant age and sex differences can be monitored. Presence of risk factors, however, results in a significantly diminished 6-oxo-PGF(1alpha), irrespective of morphology. 8-epi-PGF(2alpha) again showed no age and sex dependence, its presence in varicose segments, however, was significantly (p<0.01) decreased. Risk factors resulted in a significantly increased 8-epi-PGF(2alpha). These data indicate that the influence of risk factors on vasomodulatory (iso-)eicosanoids of human veins is more pronounced than the actual morphologic stage. Lower 8-epi-PGF(2alpha) in varicose veins may shift the venous tone toward vasodilatation and contribute to development and progression of varicosis.