Measurement of aminotransferases activity and concentration of pro-inflammatory cytokines in vascular wall in varicous veins of lower extremities

Abstract

Aim. To investigate the role of alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, tumor necrosis factor α and interleukin-1β in the pathogenesis of varicose veins in patients of different age groups. Methods. The study included 43 patients. Three groups were identified: patients aged 30-44 years (11 patients, group 1), patients aged 45-59 years (18 individuals, group 2), patients aged 60-74 years (14 individuals, group 3). Alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase activity in vascular wall were determined spectrophotometrically in patients after phlebectomy. The content of tumor necrosis factor α and interleukin 1β was measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Results. The highest alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase activity was detected in tissue samples taken from patients aged 60 to 74 years compared to those obtained from tissue samples from patients of other age groups. Determination of the concentration of IL-1β also showed that the highest concentration of this parameter was found in patients aged 60-74 years, and reaches 13.2±0.54 pg/g of tissue, which is significantly higher than in patients of other study groups. According to enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for determining the content of tumor necrosis factor α in the test samples, increased concentration of this parameter was observed in age group 2, and decreased one in group 3. Conclusion. Increased concentration of IL-1β and alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase activity in the vascular wall of patients with varicose veins of the lower extremities positively correlates with the patient’s age; concentration of tumor necrosis factor α increases in group 2 and decreases in study group 3, which indicates dysregulation of immuno-inflammatory reactions in the elderly.