Morphological changes in venous wall following physical exertion at early stages of varicose process are still unclear.

OBJECTIVE

To study the effect of physical exercise on morphological reorganization of venous wall in a model of varicose veins in dogs.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

The study included 20 mongrel sexually mature male dogs. In the 1^st group, we studied normal anatomy of medial saphenous vein (5 dogs). In other animals, we created a model of varicose veins and distinguished additional 3 groups (5 dogs in each one). In the 2^nd group (hypodynamia), animals were not walked. In the 3^rd group (normodynamia), animals walked a distance of 5 kilometers daily. In the 4^th group (hyperdynamia), animals walked a distance of 10 kilometers daily. All animals underwent Doppler ultrasound followed by morphological analysis of medial saphenous vein.

RESULTS

In all groups, stable clinical and morphological varicose transformation of the vein was formed. In the 2^nd group, we observed luminal ectasia (p<0.005) and wall thinning (p<0.005) with atrophy of all its structures. In the 3^rd group, there were proportional vein enlargement and wall thickening with mild hyperplastic changes. Venous wall in the 4^th group was characterized by hyperplastic processes with 2-fold wall thickening (p<0.005) and narrowing of venous lumen (p<0.005).

CONCLUSIONS

Physical activity contributed to venous wall hypertrophy (possibly compensatory). On the contrary, no physical activity led to significant vein enlargement with atrophic changes. Thus, physical activity can be a protective factor against varicose veins.