Serum iron concentration and plasma oxidant-antioxidant balance in patients with chronic venous insufficency

Abstract

Background: The aim of this study was to evaluate serum iron concentration and influence of this element on biomarkers of oxidative stress in patients affected by chronic venous insufficiency (CVI).

Material/methods: Serum iron (SI) concentration and plasma parameters of oxidant-antioxidant balance (i.e., malonyldialdehyde [MDA], uric acid [UA] concentration, and total antioxidant capacity [TAC]) were compared between 35 patients divided into appropriate groups and 23 healthy individuals.

Results: The subgroups analysis showed that SI concentration was significantly higher only in patients with shorter duration of CVI in comparison with the control group (P = 0.013). Significant, negative correlation was found between SI concentration and duration of the disease (r = -0.422, P = 0.014), age of the patients (r = -0.542, P = 0.001) and BMI (r = -0.408, P = 0.018). Mean value of MDA concentration and TAC capacity were higher in patients with CVI in comparison with healthy individuals (P < 0.05). UA concentration was decreased, especially in CVI patients with mild clinical stage of disease and shorter CVI duration (P = 0.047; P = 0.034). There was no significant correlation found between SI concentration and the parameters of oxidant-antioxidant balance.

Conclusions: High concentration of MDA and low UA level in blood of CVI patients suggests that oxidative stress plays an important role in the pathogenesis of the disease. The increase in SI concentration observed in the early stage of CVI can enhance free radicals formation; however, direct evidence has not been provided by the present study.

Figure 1

The clinical stages of CVI according to CEAP classification. Panel A – stage 2 Panel B – stage 4 (pigmentation), Panel C – stage 5 (healed ulceration), Panel D – stage 6 (active ulceration).

Figure 2

The SI concentration in the control group and in CVI patients classified into appropriate groups according to severity and duration of disease (Group M – patients with mild clinical stage of CVI, Group S – patients with severe clinical stage of CVI, Group I – patients with CVI duration up to 10 years, Group II – patients with CVI duration more than 10 years). * P≤0.05, Group I vs. Control; ** P≤0.05, Group I vs. Group II.

Figure 3

The MDA concentration in the plasma of control group and CVI patients classified into appropriate groups according to severity and duration of disease (Group M – patients with mild clinical stage of CVI, Group S – patients with severe clinical stage of CVI, Group I – patients with CVI duration up to 10 years, Group II – patients with CVI duration more than 10 years).* P≤0.05, appropriate group vs. Control.

Figure 4

The TAC of plasma in the control group and in CVI patients classified into appropriate groups according to severity and duration of disease (Group M – patients with mild clinical stage of CVI, Group S – patients with severe clinical stage of CVI, Group I – patients with CVI duration up to 10 years, Group II – patients with CVI duration more than 10 years). * P≤0.05, Group S, Group II vs. Control.

Figure 5

The UA concentration in serum of control group and CVI patients classified into appropriate groups according to severity and duration of disease (Group M – patients with mild clinical stage of CVI, Group S – patients with severe clinical stage of CVI, Group I – patients with CVI duration up to 10 years, Group II – patients with CVI duration more than 10 years).* P≤0.05, Group M, Group I vs. Control.