Abstract
Galectin-3 reportedly participates in the inflammatory process that causes insulin resistance in the target tissues. However, the role of high plasma galectin-3 levels as an indicator of protein-energy wasting (PEW) in patients undergoing maintenance hemodialysis remains unclear. This study included 240 hemodialysis patients (64.5 [55.3−74.0] years, 35.8% women) from a tertiary medical center. A baseline assessment of demographic and clinical data, biochemical parameters, and body composition was conducted. Plasma galectin-3 and other biomarkers were measured using a multiplex bead-based immunoassay. Participants were then divided into two subgroups depending on the median value of plasma galectin-3. Malnutrition was identified using the geriatric nutritional risk index (GNRI) and the criteria of the International Society of Renal Nutrition and Metabolism. Independent risk factors for elevated plasma galectin-3 and malnutrition were identified by multivariate logistic regression. The high galectin-3 group was more likely to be older, have lower lean tissue mass and GNRI scores, be diagnosed with PEW, dialyze through a tunneled catheter, and have higher circulating IL-6, TNF-α, and MCP-1 concentrations than the low galectin-3 group. After multivariate adjustment, only low mean arterial pressure, dialyzing with tunneled cuffed catheters, and elevated systemic inflammatory markers correlated with high galectin-3 levels. Plasma galectin-3 concentrations also increased significantly in hemodialysis patients with PEW. However, compared with other commonly used nutritional indicators, galectin-3 did not show superiority in predicting PEW. Although the plasma galectin-3 levels correlated with PEW severity, this correlation disappeared after adjustment for potential confounding variables (OR, 1.000; 95% CI, 0.999–1.001). In conclusion, plasma galectin-3 is a valuable biomarker for systemic inflammation but is less prominent for PEW in patients with maintenance hemodialysis. Further identification of novel biomarkers is required to detect patients at risk for malnutrition and implement appropriate interventions.
Highlights
Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a major noncommunicable disease with an increasing prevalence over the past few years [1,2]
Clinical Characteristics of Hemodialysis Patients Stratified by the Plasma Galectin-3 Level
This study revealed that galectin-3, an important modulator of many biological processes, was significantly upregulated in the plasma of hemodialysis patients with elevated levels of inflammatory markers
Summary
Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a major noncommunicable disease with an increasing prevalence over the past few years [1,2]. In. CKD, factors contributing to chronic inflammation include abnormal mineral metabolism, cellular senescence, intestinal dysbiosis, acid–base imbalance, oxidative stress, and accumulated nonenzymatic glycation [6,7,8]. CKD, factors contributing to chronic inflammation include abnormal mineral metabolism, cellular senescence, intestinal dysbiosis, acid–base imbalance, oxidative stress, and accumulated nonenzymatic glycation [6,7,8] These factors can initiate and perpetuate uremic inflammation through the mechanisms involved in immune system senescence, innate immunity activation, and inflammatory response dysregulation [7]. Among the inflammation related complications, PEW is characterized by adipose tissue browning, muscle wasting, and resting-energy expenditure increase, leading to homeostatic imbalance [9].
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
