Galectin-3: A novel prognostic marker for myocardial infarction

Abstract

Background: Coronary heart disease (CHD), known as coronary artery disease (CAD) or ischemic heart disease (IHD), results from the hindrance of blood transit to the muscle of the lipid heart and cholesterol in the inner wall of the heart. Because of atherosclerosis, CAD contains many types of disease: stable angina, unstable angina, myocardial infarction(MI), and sudden cardiac death. Percutaneous Coronary Intervention (PCI), known as angioplasty, is a nonsurgical operation performed using a catheter to cram either inflate a balloon in the narrowing place or stent (a very small and fin grid tube made of either plastic or metal of stainless steel). So, it is covered with medicine to prevent coronary artery blockage again), and to expand or open up the vessels in the heart's muscle that contains plaque buildup that causes stenosis. Galectin-3 (Gal-3) is a multifunctional protein that coordinates varied physiological and pathological processes in the body of humans. Gal–3 is located in many of the cells and types of tissue, and several functions can be described, such as macrophage migration promotion, proliferation of fibroblasts and synthesis of collagen. The best function of Gal–3 is its role as a preventer for acute and chronic inflammation. In the universe, it has been related to carcinoma and CVD. Gal–3 has been discovered in various types of cells, like stimulated macrophages, fibroblasts, dendritic cells, eosinophils, mast cells, chondrocytes and osteoblasts. Previous studies have shown that Gal–3 plays different functions in many tissues and plays its role in both intra and extracellular. Subjects: One hundred individuals were collected to contribute to the present study. These cases were divided into two groups. The first included 70 patients (their ages ranged between 30-66 years) with MI who underwent elective PCI and were divided into two subgroups: 30 patients with the first PCI and 40 patients who underwent more than one PCI. The second group involved 30 healthy individuals (aged 30-55 years) who were enrolled in the present study as a control group. Results: The results showed a significant increase (p=0.001) of serum Gal-3 levels in the patient's group compared to control individuals. Moreover, the result illustrated a statistically significant elevation in the Gal-3 levels (p=0.000) when comparing the two male subgroups (patients with one PCI and healthy). The same results were observed when the female subgroups were compared together. No significant differences were recorded when the two genders in the same group were compared (p=0.093 for one PCI patient and p=0.563 for healthy individuals). Keywords: CVD, CHD, PCI, Lectins, Gal-3