Functional adaptation of venous smooth muscle response to vasoconstriction in proximal, distal, and varix segments of varicose veins

Background Varicose veins (VarVs) are a common disorder of venous dilation and tortuosity with unclear mechanism. The functional integrity and the ability of various regions of the VarVs to constrict is unclear. This study tested the hypothesis that the different degrees of venodilation in different VarV regions reflect segmental differences in the responsiveness to receptor-dependent vasoconstrictive stimuli and/or in the postreceptor signaling mechanisms of vasoconstriction. Methods Varix segments and adjacent proximal and distal segments were obtained from patients undergoing VarV stripping. Control great saphenous vein specimens were obtained from patients undergoing lower extremity arterial bypass and coronary artery bypass grafting. Circular vein segments were equilibrated under 2 g of tension in a tissue bath, and changes in isometric constriction in response to angiotensin II (AngII, 10 –11 -10 –7 M), phenylephrine (PHE, 10 –9 -10 –4 M), and KCl (96 mM) were recorded. The amount of angiotensin type 1 receptor (AT 1 R) was measured in vein tissue homogenate. Results AngII caused concentration-dependent constriction in control vein (max 35.3 ± 9.6 mg/mg tissue, pED 50 8.48 ± 0.34). AngII caused less contraction and was less potent in proximal (max 7.9 ± 2.5, pED 50 6.85 ± 0.61), distal (max 5.7 ± 1.2, pED 50 6.74 ± 0.68), and varix segments of VarV (max 7.2 ± 2.0, pED 50 7.11 ± 0.50), suggesting reduced AT 1 R-mediated contractile mechanisms. VarVs and control veins had similar amounts of AT 1 R. α-adrenergic receptor stimulation with PHE caused concentration-dependent constriction in control veins (max 73.0 ± 13.9 mg/mg tissue, pED 50 5.48 ± 0.12) exceeding that of AngII. PHE produced similar constriction and was equally potent in varix and distal segments but produced less constriction and was less potent in proximal segments of VarVs (max 32.1 ± 6.4 mg/mg tissue, pED 50 4.89 ± 0.13) vs control veins. Membrane depolarization by 96 mM KCl, a receptor-independent Ca 2+ -dependent response, produced significant constriction in control veins and similar contractile response in proximal, distal, and varix VarV segments, indicating tissue viability and intact Ca 2+ -dependent contraction mechanisms. Conclusions Compared with control veins, different regions of VarV display reduced AngII-mediated venoconstriction, which may be involved in the progressive dilation in VarVs. Postreceptor Ca 2+ -dependent contraction mechanisms remain functional in VarVs. The maintained α-adrenergic responses in distal and varix segments, and the reduced constriction in the upstream proximal segments, may represent a compensatory adaptation of human venous smooth muscle to facilitate venous return from the dilated varix segments of VarV.