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Progesterone receptor expression in human saphenous veins
M Perrot-Applanat1, K Cohen-Solal, E Milgrom
1INSERM U 135, Hormones et Reproduction Faculté de Médecine Paris Sud, Le Kremlin-Bicêtre, France.
Circulation
|November 15, 1995
Summary
Varicose veins may be influenced by hormones. Human saphenous veins have progesterone receptors (PR), suggesting progesterone directly affects these veins through a classic pathway.
Area of Science:
- Vascular Biology
- Endocrinology
- Venous Disease
Background:
- Varicose veins are more common in women and linked to sex hormones.
- Venous stasis occurs during hormone therapy, menstrual cycles, and pregnancy.
- Direct hormonal action on saphenous veins was investigated.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine if sex hormones directly impact varicose veins.
- To analyze steroid receptors in human saphenous vein biopsies.
Main Methods:
- Enzyme immunoassay (EIA) and immunocytochemistry used to detect progesterone receptors (PR) and estrogen receptors (ER).
- Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) analyzed PR and ER mRNA.
- Biopsy samples from patients with varicose saphenous veins were analyzed.
Main Results:
- 90% of varicose vein samples showed PR positivity.
- PR staining was observed in the tunica media and subendothelial layer.
- Estrogen receptors (ER) were undetectable or extremely low in most samples.
Conclusions:
- Human saphenous veins express progesterone receptors (PR).
- Progesterone likely acts directly on saphenous veins via a receptor-mediated pathway.