Serum Galectin-3 in Women With Gestational Hypertension and Preeclampsia and Its Association With Preterm Birth

• Published in: Acta medica Iranica 2021, Vol.59 (9), p.536
• Main Authors: Gencheva, Dolina, Nikolov, Fedya, Uchikova, Ekaterina, Mihaylov, Rosen, Pencheva, Blagovesta, Yamakova-Vladova, Gita
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: cardiovascular diseases; Galectin-3; gestational hypertension; Hypertension; Preeclampsia; Pregnancy; Premature birth; Womens health
• ISSN: 0044-6025; 1735-9694
• DOI: 10.18502/acta.v59i9.7554

Hypertensive disorders of pregnancy are one of the leading causes of fetal and maternal mortality worldwide. Aside from the immediate risk they pose for the pregnant woman, there is significant evidence that women after such a pregnancy have a long-term risk for the development of cardiovascular diseases. On the other hand, Galectin-3 is a biomarker that has proven its role in cardiac remodeling, fibrosis, and heart failure. To determine the levels of Galectin-3 in women with gestational hypertension, preeclampsia, and in healthy pregnant women and test for association with premature birth. A prospective single-center clinical, epidemiological study was performed, and data were analyzed for 123 pregnant women-36 with gestational hypertension, 37 with preeclampsia, and 50 controls. ELISA method was used to determine the serum levels of Galectin-3. Mean Galectin-3 level was 6,53 ng/ml in the controls, 7.30 ng/ml in the gestational hypertension group, and 7,59 ng/ml in the preeclampsia group. There was a significant difference in the levels between the controls and each of the pathological groups (P