Comparative analysis of quantitative parameters of structural components in the femoral and great saphenous veins across age groups

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Quantitative data on structural remodeling of the lower limb veins are limited and primarily concern changes associated with varicose vein disease.

AIM: This study aimed to investigate and compare age-related changes in the quantitative parameters of structural components in the femoral and great saphenous veins.

MATERIAL AND METHODS: A total of 120 vein specimens were analyzed, including 60 from the great saphenous vein and 60 from the femoral vein, obtained from 60 deceased individuals aged 25–98 years. According to the World Health Organization classification, the individuals were divided into five age groups: young adults (n = 10), middle-aged adults (n = 15), older adults (n = 15), elderly (n = 15), and the oldest-old (n = 5). Morphological and quantitative assessments of the femoral and great saphenous vein walls were conducted on hematoxylin and eosin-stained sections, including the volume fraction of the intima and the volume fractions of smooth muscle and connective tissue components in the media and adventitia. Statistical analysis was performed using the Kruskal–Wallis and Mann–Whitney nonparametric tests.

RESULTS: In older adults, the volume fraction of the intima was significantly lower in the great saphenous vein compared with the femoral vein (p < 0.0001). In all age groups except the oldest-old, the volume fraction of subintimal longitudinal smooth muscle cells in the media of the great saphenous vein was significantly higher than in the femoral vein (p ≤ 0.00017). No age-related changes in the volume fraction of circularly arranged smooth muscle cells were observed in the great saphenous vein (p = 0.36). The volume fraction of longitudinal smooth muscle cells in the adventitia was significantly greater in the great saphenous vein compared with the femoral vein in the young (p = 0.046), middle-aged (p < 0.0001), and older (p = 0.017) groups. In the oldest-old, the volume fraction of connective tissue in the adventitia was significantly reduced in both veins (p < 0.005), with a lower proportion found in the great saphenous vein compared with the femoral vein (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSION: In the great saphenous vein, a reduction in the volume fraction of the intima begins in older adulthood. In the femoral vein, a decline in the subintimal longitudinal smooth muscle layer is observed in the elderly. In both the femoral and great saphenous veins, a decrease in longitudinal smooth muscle bundles and connective tissue stroma in the adventitia occurs during longevity.

Keywords

femoral vein / great saphenous vein / smooth muscle cells / connective tissue stroma / involutional alterations

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