Cytochromes P450 are differently expressed in normal and varicose human saphenous veins: linkage with varicosis.

The expression of cytochrome P450 (CYP) enzymes and cyclo-oxygenases (COX) was investigated in human saphenous veins by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction analysis. Non-varicose veins were obtained from patients undergoing aortocoronary bypass grafting, whereas varicose veins were obtained from patients undergoing stripping removal of varicose saphenous veins. In non-varicose veins, CYP1B1, CYP2C, CYP2E1 and CYP4A11 were detected, whereas CYP2J2, CYP3A5, COX-1 and COX-2 were detected almost exclusively in varicose veins. CYP4F2 was not detectable. Except for CYP4A11, the levels of individual CYP mRNA were higher in varicose veins than in control veins. Smooth muscle cell volume, determined by a colour image-analysis system, was increased approximately 1.5-fold in varicose veins. Because CYPs and COXs produce various vasoactive compounds, increased expression of these enzymes could be involved in the impairment of vascular tone and may contribute to varicose pathology. Then, CYP or COX modulators may be potentially active in the treatment of chronic venous insufficiency.