Contractile activity of human greater saphenous vein mediated by P2-receptors.

In vitro experiments were carried out to measure the contractile responses to P(2)-receptor agonists in the greater saphenous vein isolated from patients with obliterating vascular atherosclerosis and varicose veins of the legs. In patients with varicose veins, the contractile responses of the greater saphenous vein to ATP, alpha,beta-methylene-ATP, and UTP were significantly lower than in patients with obliterating atherosclerosis, while the responses to ADP, adenosine, and 2-methylthio-ATP were similar in both groups. These data attest to the presence of P(2)-receptor-mediated contraction component in the greater saphenous vein, which are pronouncedly weakened during varicose disease.