Decreased Tocopherol Concentration of Varicose Veins is Associated with a Decrease in Antilipoperoxidant Activity without Similar Changes in Plasma

Abstract

Antilipoperoxidant and antiradicalar powers were determined in human varicose saphenous veins, and correlated with tocopherol content in plasma or venous homogenates. No difference was found between plasma levels of tocopherol in samples from controls (10.25 ± 1.93 μg ml−1) and from patients with varicose veins (11.50 ± 4.05 μg ml−1), while a significant decrease in tocopherol level was observed in varicose saphenous vein (4.46 ± 1.75 μg/100 mg) as compared to normal vein homogenates (6.25 ± 1.52μg/100mg). In addition, a positive linear correlation ( r = 0.939, p < 0.001) between the antilipoperoxidant activity of venous tissues and their tocopherol content was noticed, whereas no similar relation exists with the plasma tocopherol concentrations. Moreover, a negative linear correlation ( r = 0.814, p < 0.001) between plasma and vessel-wall anti-OH properties was demonstrated, without similar correlation between anti-OH power and the tocopherol levels, neither for the plasma nor for the venous samples. Concerning antiradicalar activities, a positive linear correlation ( r = 0.761, p < 0.001) was noticed between anti-OH power and anti-ferryl ion properties observed in venous wall homogenates. This study provides a new valuation in man concerning the implication of tocopherol in the oxidative status of venous tissue.