Temporal expression of galectin-3 following myocardial infarction

Abstract

Objective Galectin-3 is a pro-infl ammatory, pro-fi brotic molecule implicated in the pathogenesis of heart failure, and associated with poor prognostic outcome. When measured following ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI), a high plasma galectin-3 predicts greater 30-day morbidity and mortality, and increased heart failure incidence at a median of 2 years. This study aims to elucidate the temporal aspects of galectin-3 expression immediately post-STEMI and how expression relates to severity of myocardial injury.Methods Plasma galectin-3 levels were compared in 53 STEMI patients and 23 control patients with stable angina. Consecutive plasma galectin-3 levels, measured at a mean of 30 hours (sample A) and 54 hours (sample B) post pain, and analysis of galectin-3 vs time since onset of pain/time since reperfusion allowed assessment of temporal expression in STEMI patients. Myocardial injury markers included troponin and left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) at primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).Results Circulating galectin-3 levels were signifi cantly higher in STEMI patients than control patients when measured at a mean of 30 hours post pain (t = 2.72, df = 66, P= 0.008). However, levels had signifi cantly decreased when measured 24 hours later (t = 2.13, df = 47, P= 0.039), with a negative linear relationship apparent between plasma galectin-3 levels and time since reperfusion on univariate analysis (OR = 0.871, 95%CI = 0.779-0.975, P= 0.021). A signifi cantly lower circulating galectin-3 concentration was also found for sample A in those reperfused within 3 hours post-onset of pain (OR 0.045, 95%CI 0.003-0.669, P= 0.029).Conclusions Plasma galectin-3 levels vary signifi cantly following a STEMI over a short time period, in relation to timing of reperfusion.