Evaluation of Transforming Growth Factor Beta-1 in the vein wall of males with varicocele

M.Z. Keskin, S. Ekmekci, A.Y. Engin, E. Ates, M. Ucar, E. Siyez, E. Kısa, C. Yücel, C. Köse, M.A. Erdogan, Y.Ö. İlbey

Urology Clinic, Tepecik Training and Research Hospital, Izmir, Turkey. zeynel_akd@hotmail.com

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• Urology

OBJECTIVE: This study aims to investigate potential differences in the presence of Transforming Growth Factor-Beta 1 (TGF-β1) between the vein walls of patients with varicocele and those of healthy individuals.

PATIENTS AND METHODS: The study comprised a total of 40 participants, divided into two groups. The control group (Group 1) consisted of 20 patients who underwent coronary bypass surgery, while the varicocele group (Group 2) included 20 patients scheduled for varicocelectomy. The cytoplasmic and nuclear staining patterns of TGF-β1 immunohistochemistry were assessed in tissue samples under light microscopy, identifying any differences in TGF-β1 presence between varicocele patient vein walls and normal (saphenous) veins.

RESULTS: The varicocele group demonstrated lower nuclear and cytoplasmic TGF-β1 staining rates compared to the control group. After controlling for the independent factor of age, significantly lower nuclear and cytoplasmic staining was still observed in the varicocele group.

CONCLUSIONS: This study is the first of its kind to compare TGF-β1 staining in the vein walls of varicocele patients and healthy individuals. Previous studies focusing on varicose veins reported elevated TGF-β1 expression. Contrarily, our study observed lower TGF-β1 expression in varicocele patient veins, marking a unique contribution to the field.

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