Serum Concentrations Of Galectin-3 Research Articles

Evaluation of new and old biomarkers in dogs with degenerative mitral valve disease

BackgroundDogs with degenerative mitral valve disease are commonly presented to small animal clinicians. Diagnosis, clinical staging, and therapeutic design are based on a combination of clinical examination, radiography, and echocardiography. To support diagnosis and clinical monitoring, a multi-marker-based approach would be conceivable. The aim of this study was to investigate the suitability of Galectin-3 and interleukin-1 receptor-like 1 protein (ST2) in dogs with degenerative mitral valve disease in accordance with N-terminal-prohormone-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) and cardiac troponin I (cTnI). For this purpose, serum concentrations of Galectin-3 and ST2 of 64 dogs with different stages of mitral valve disease and 21 dogs without cardiac disease were analyzed at the first examination and six months later. Echocardiography, blood cell count and clinical chemistry were performed and established biomarkers NT-proBNP and cTnI were measured additionally. Differences in the biomarker concentrations between all groups at both timepoints and the change in biomarker concentrations from first to second evaluation was investigated. Furthermore, correlations of each biomarker, between biomarkers and echocardiographic measurements, were calculated. Finally, the receiver-operating characteristic curve and the area under the curve analysis were performed to differentiate between disease stages and controls.ResultsSerum concentrations of Galectin-3 and ST2 were not statistically different between canine patients in the respective stages of mitral valve disease or in comparison to dogs in the control group at any timepoint. A significant increase in ST2 concentrations from the baseline to the follow-up examination was observed in dogs classified as stage B1 and the control group. The concentrations of NT-proBNP and cTnI in stage C dogs were significantly increased in comparison to the other groups.ConclusionsIn this study, no relation between Galectin-3 and ST2 levels to the presence or stage of mitral valve disease could be detected. Nevertheless, considering the increase in ST2 concentrations from the first to second measurement, its value on monitoring disease progress could be feasible. In agreement with previous studies, NT-proBNP and cTnI have once more proven their utility in assessing disease severity. The approach of examining new cardiac biomarkers in dogs is still worth pursuing.

Higher galectin-3 levels are independently associated with lower anxiety in patients with risk factors for heart failure

BackgroundGalectin-3 promotes the proliferation of neural progenitor cells and is engaged in cell-cell adhesion, cell-matrix interactions, and macrophage activation. In addition, in patients with heart failure this carbohydrate-binding protein is a known prognostic marker for cardiovascular mortality. However, its association with psychological variables has not been investigated so far.MethodsUsing data from the multicenter, observational Diast-CHF (Diagnostic Trial on Prevalence and Clinical Course of Diastolic Dysfunction and Heart Failure) trial, we studied in participants with cardiovascular risk factors (n = 1260, age 66.7 ± 8.0 years, males 51%, left ventricular ejection fraction 60.0 ± 8.1%) the relationship between serum concentrations of galectin-3 and anxiety. Galectin-3 levels were measured by means of a sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and anxiety was assessed using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS).ResultsIn univariate analysis, there was a weak but significant inverse correlation between galectin-3 and HADS anxiety (rho = − 0.076; p = 0.008). Linear regression models adjusted for sex, age, body-mass index, estimated glomerular filtration rate, left ventricular ejection fraction, 6-min walking distance, the 36-item Short-Form Health Survey (SF-36) subscale physical functioning, and known biomarkers for heart failure confirmed that serum galectin-3 significantly and independently predicted self-rated anxiety (B = -2.413; 95%CI = -2.413–-4.422; p = 0.019).ConclusionIn patients with cardiovascular risk factors, serum concentrations of galectin-3 showed an inverse association with anxiety, which was independent of both the severity of physical impairment and established risk factors for the progression of heart failure.

Galectin3 and CD16 play an important immunological role in patients infected with Salmonella typhi.

Enteric fever caused by Salmonella typhi (S.typhi) is one of the most dangerous diseases in developing countries. The main aim of this work is study the immunological role of Galectin3 and CD16 in human infected with S.typhi. A total number of 60 outpatients infected with acute IgM and chronic IgG S.typhi were included in this study, serum concentration of Galectin3 and CD16 were measurement by Enzyme-linked Immune Sorbent Assay (ELISA) for each patient. The results proved that there was significant increase (P = < 0.0001***) in serum concentration of CD+16 between patients with acute S.typhi (IgM) (17.760 ± 0.72773 ng/ml) and healthy individuals (13.690 ± 0.36638 ng/ml). Also, there was significant increase (P = <0.0001***) in serum concentration of CD+16 between patients with chronic S.typhi (IgG) (20.348 ± 1.1848 ng/ml) and healthy individuals (13.690 ± 0.36638 ng/ml). Also; there was significant increase (P = 0.0011**) in serum concentration of Galectin3 between patients infected with acute S.typhi (IgM) (9.1485 ± 0.30444 ng/ml) and healthy individuals (7.1058 ± 0.50831 ng/ml) and there was significant increase (P value= 0.0004***) between patients infected with chronic S.typhi (IgG) (9.5004 ± 0.38143 ng/ml) and healthy individuals (7.1058 ± 0.50831 ng/ml). Conclusion: Natural killer cell (CD16) and Galectin3 have an important immunological role in patients infected with acute and chronic S.typhi infection. Therefore, Galectin3 and natural killer cell have synergistic immunological effect against S.typhi infection.

Galectin-3 and risk of atrial fibrillation: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

BackgroundGalectin‐3 is an inflammatory marker that is raised in myocardial fibrosis and inflammation. Recent studies have explored its role in predicting atrial fibrillation (AF) outcomes. The aim of this systematic review and meta‐analysis is to examine the association between serum concentration of galectin‐3 and AF.MethodsPubMed, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Database were searched. A total of 280 studies were identified, of which 28 studies involving 10 830 patients were included in our meta‐analysis.ResultsGalectin‐3 is present at higher concentrations in patients with AF than those in sinus rhythm (mean difference [MD] = −0.68 ng/mL, 95% CI: −0.92, −0.44, Z = 5.61, P < .00001). Galectin‐3 levels were significantly higher in the persistent AF than in the paroxysmal AF group (MD = −0.94 ng/mL, 95% CI: −1.85, −0.03, Z = 2.04, P = .04). Higher galectin‐3 levels were associated with a 45% increase in the odds of developing AF (odds ratio [OR] = 1.45, 95% CI: 1.15, 1.83, Z = 3.11, P = .002) and risk of AF recurrence (hazard ratio [HR] =1.17, 95% CI: 1.06, 1.29, Z = 3.12, P = .002).ConclusionsOur meta‐analysis found that galectin‐3 is significantly higher in patients with persistent AF than in those with paroxysmal AF, and can predict both AF development and recurrence after treatment.

Therapeutic effects of sphingosine kinase inhibitor N,N-dimethylsphingosine (DMS) in experimental chronic Chagas disease cardiomyopathy

Chagas disease cardiomyopathy is a parasite-driven inflammatory disease to which there are no effective treatments. Here we evaluated the therapeutic potential of N,N-dimethylsphingosine(DMS), which blocks the production of sphingosine-1-phosphate(S1P), a mediator of cellular events during inflammatory responses, in a model of chronic Chagas disease cardiomyopathy. DMS-treated, Trypanosoma cruzi-infected mice had a marked reduction of cardiac inflammation, fibrosis and galectin-3 expression when compared to controls. Serum concentrations of galectin-3, IFNγ and TNFα, as well as cardiac gene expression of inflammatory mediators were reduced after DMS treatment. The gene expression of M1 marker, iNOS, was decreased, while the M2 marker, arginase1, was increased. DMS-treated mice showed an improvement in exercise capacity. Moreover, DMS caused a reduction in parasite load in vivo. DMS inhibited the activation of lymphocytes, and reduced cytokines and NO production in activated macrophage cultures in vitro, while increasing IL-1β production. Analysis by qRT-PCR array showed that DMS treatment modulated inflammasome activation induced by T. cruzi on macrophages. Altogether, our results demonstrate that DMS, through anti-parasitic and immunomodulatory actions, can be beneficial in the treatment of chronic phase of T. cruzi infection and suggest that S1P-activated processes as possible therapeutic targets for the treatment of Chagas disease cardiomyopathy.

OP-207 [AJC » Miscellaneous] Serum Concentrations of Galectin-3 in Patients with Coronary Artery Ectasia

OP-207 [AJC » Miscellaneous] Serum Concentrations of Galectin-3 in Patients with Coronary Artery Ectasia

Physiologic determinants of serum galectin-3 in a general healthy population

Background: Growing evidence suggests that the protein galectin-3 may promote fibrosis and cardiac remodeling, thus being currently considered one of the most promising biomarkers for risk stratification of patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) and/or heart failure. Therefore, this study was planned to identify the main physiological determinants of serum galectin-3 in a reference population of middle-aged healthy subjects. Methods: The study population consisted of 44 healthy volunteers [14 males and 30 females; mean age, 47±11 years; body mass index (BMI), 23.6±3.6 kg/m 2 ], recruited from the personnel of the local laboratory. Demographical and biochemical measures were recorded early in the morning and potential associations with serum galectin-3 values were tested with both univariate and multivariate linear regression analyses. Results: In univariate analysis, the concentration of serum galectin-3 was found to be significantly associated with both BMI and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), but not with age, sex, serum albumin, serum cardiac troponin T, hemoglobin and red blood cell distribution width. In multivariate analysis, the concentration of serum galectin-3 remained inversely associated with eGFR, but not with BMI. The median value of galectin-3 was found to be significantly different across quartiles of eGFR (P=0.046). Results: The results of our study suggest that the serum concentration of galectin-3 in a population of middle-aged healthy subjects may be influenced by renal function, but not by age, sex, BMI, liver function and hemoglobin concentration.

Serum Galectin-3 Levels Predict Recurrences after Ablation of Atrial Fibrillation.

Galectin-3 is a biomarker of fibrosis and atrial remodeling, involved in the mechanisms of initiation and maintenance of atrial fibrillation (AF). We sought to study the accuracy of galectin-3 level in predicting recurrences of AF after ablation. Serum concentrations of galectin-3 were determined in a consecutive series of patients addressed for AF ablation in our center. After a 3-month blanking period, recurrences of atrial arrhythmias were collected during the first year in all patients, using Holter monitoring at 3, 6 months and 12 months. A total of 160 patients were included, with a mean galectin-3 rate was 14.4 ± 5.6 ng/mL. At 12-month, 55 patients (34%) had reexperienced sustained atrial arrhythmia. Only higher galectin-3 level (HR = 1.07 [1.01–1.12], p = 0.02) and larger left atrial diameter (HR = 1.07 [1.03–1.12], p = 0.001) independently predicted recurrence. Patients with both galectin-3 level <15 ng/mL and left atrial diameter <40 millimeters had a 1-year arrhythmia-free survival rate − after a single procedure without anti-arrhythmic drug − of 91%, as compared with 41% in patients with galectin-3 ≥ 15 and left trial diameter ≥40 (p < 0.0001), whether AF was paroxysmal or persistent. Galectin-3 and left atrial diameters, rather than clinical presentation of AF, predict recurrences after ablation.

Association between circulating galectin-3 levels and the immunological, inflammatory and nutritional parameters in patients with colorectal cancer.

Galectin-3, a β-galactoside-binding lectin, exhibits pleiotropic biological functions and has a role as one of the immunological modulators. However, the associations between circulating galectin-3 and immunological, inflammatory and nutritional parameters have not yet been fully elucidated. The serum concentration of galectin-3 was examined in association with interleukin-10 (IL-10), IL-12 and IL17 production, lymphocyte stimulation, neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio (NLR), white blood cell count (WBC), C-reactive protein (CRP) and rapid turnover proteins, including retinol-binding protein (RBP), prealbumin (PA) and transferrin (TF) in 50 patients with untreated colorectal cancers. Significant increases (P<0.05) were observed in the serum galectin-3 levels in patients with untreated colorectal cancer (9.6±4.5 ng/ml) compared with the normal controls (3.2±1.6 ng/ml). Higher serum galectin-3 concentrations were observed in patients with colon cancer (11.5±4.4 ng/ml) compared to in patients with rectal cancer (8.0±4.0 ng/ml) (P=0.005). The levels of circulating galectin-3 inversely correlated with the production of IL-10 (r=-0.59, P<0.001), and IL-12 (r=-0.69, P<0.001). Galectin-3 concentration also inversely correlated with the lymphocyte stimulation assay stimulation index (r=-0.42, P=0.021). However, the level of serum galectin-3 correlated with IL-17 production (r=0.67, P<0.001). Serum galectin-3 levels exhibited significant correlations with NLR (r=0.41, P=0.009), WBC (r=0.32, P=0.035), and CRP (r=0.63, P<0.001), and statistically significant inverse correlations with RBP (r=-0.45, P=0.002), PA (r=-0.46, P=0.001) and TF (r=-0.72, P<0.001). Galectin-3 may be one of the key factors in the regulation of immunological, inflammatory and nutritional conditions.

Serum concentrations of galectin-3 in patients with cardiac syndrome X

Objective: Microvascular dysfunction has been reported in cardiac syndrome X (CSX), even though the underlying mechanisms still remain uncertain. Galectin-3 has been recently recognized as a biomarker of cardiovascular fibrosis and inflammation. We sought to investigate the role of galectin-3 in the CSX. Methods: We studied 115 consecutive CSX patients (mean age 55.43 ± 8.71 years, 36 men) and 74 healthy controls (mean age 54.53 ± 10.07 years, 31 men). Serum concentrations of galectin-3 and high-sensitive C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) were measured on the blood samples. Results: Galectin-3 concentrations were significantly higher in patients with CSX compared to controls (0.90 ng/ml; IQR, 0.40–1.70 ng/ml vs 0.40 ng/ml; IQR, 0.36–0.44 ng/ml, p < 0.0001). Although, the prevalence of diabetes mellitus, hypertension and family history of coronary artery disease (CAD) were significantly higher among patients with CSX, following adjustment for diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and family history of CAD, serum galectin-3 concentrations were still found significantly increased in patients with CSX. Galectin-3 concentrations correlated positively with hs-CRP (r = 0.16, p = 0.03). In addition, concentrations of galectin-3, hs-CRP, fasting glucose, uric acid and family history of CAD were determined as independent predictors of the CSX. Conclusion: It was found that galectin-3 serum concentrations are higher in patients with CSX compared to healthy controls. Further studies on larger population are needed to confirm the relation between the fibrosis and the CSX, as well as to explore the potential role of galectin-3 in the CSX.

Expression of Galectin-3 in Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma

Galectin-3 influences neoangiogenesis, tumor cell adhesion, and tumor-immune-escape mechanisms. Hence, the expression of galectin-3 in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) was evaluated. Galectin-3 expression in PDAC cell lines was proven by the presence of intracellular protein and by release into the supernatant. Furthermore, galectin-3 was found in the majority of human tissue samples. Serum concentrations of galectin-3 in PDAC patients did not differ significantly from healthy donors and did not correlate with established tumor markers. In conclusion, galectin-3 is expressed in PDAC tissues suggesting a role in tumor development; however, no relationship between expression and clinical findings could be established.