Matrix metalloproteinase activity and glycosaminoglycans in chronic venous disease: the linkage among cell biology, pathology and translational research.

Primary chronic venous disease (CVD) is an inflammatory pathology involving an erratic structural remodeling in the venous well leading to vascular incompetence and the development of varicose vein, characterized by altered collagen and elastin content. In the early steps of varicose vein formation is crucial the role of MMP/TIMP balance, implicated in both ECM and vascular degradation during inflammation processes in early and late stages of venous diseases. Although several pharmacological and surgical strategies are being utilized in the management of varicose vein and CVD with variable success and recurrence rate, inhibition of MMP through glycosaminoglycans may represent a novel therapeutic intervention to limit the progression of varicose vein to CVD and leg ulceration, suggesting possible opportunity to prevent future morbidity and enhancing clinical benefits and quality of life.