Autophagy and Venous Endothelial Function

The molecular mechanisms involved in venous endothelial dysfunction are largely unknowns. Autophagy is an intracellular mechanism devoted to the removal of damaged cytoplasmic elements. Previous evidence demonstrated that activation of autophagy exerts beneficial effects in the cardiovascular system, reducing cardiac damage and improving cardiac function in response to stress. However, the association between venous endothelial dysfunction and autophagy remains to be characterized. In this study the investigators will test whether reactivation of autophagy through a natural compound (spermidine) is able to improve vascular function in saphenous veins derived from patients subjected to saphenectomy. The same outcome will be evaluated in saphenous veins isolated from patients with atherosclerotic obstructive disease of the lower limbs subjected revascularization through implantation of venous by-pass.