Is galectin-3 a biomarker, a player—or both—in the presence of coronary atherosclerosis?

• Published in: Journal of investigative medicine 2016-03, Vol.64 (3), p.764-770
• Main Authors: Aksan, Gökhan, Gedikli, Ömer, Keskin, Kudret, Nar, Gökay, İnci, Sinan, Yıldız, Süleyman Sezai, Kaplan, Özgür, Soylu, Korhan, Kılıçkesmez, Kadriye Orta, Şahin, Mahmut
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Atherosclerosis; Atherosclerosis - blood; Biomarkers; Biomarkers - blood; C-Reactive Protein - metabolism; Cardiovascular disease; Case-Control Studies; Coronary Angiography; Coronary Artery Disease - blood; Female; Galectin 3 - blood; Humans; Inflammation; Logistic Models; Male; Middle Aged; Proteins; Risk Factors
• ISSN: 1081-5589; 1708-8267
• DOI: 10.1136/jim-2015-000041

Atherosclerosis is a complex process mediated by leukocytes, macrophages and various inflammatory markers. Galectin-3 is secreted by activated macrophages and is involved in cardiac fibrosis, cardiac remodeling, and inflammation. The present study aimed to determine the relationship between the presence and severity of coronary artery disease (CAD) and serum galectin-3 levels. The study included 82 patients with CAD confirmed via coronary angiography and 82 healthy participants as control group. Angiographic CAD was defined as ≥50% luminal diameter stenosis of at least one major epicardial coronary artery. The severity of CAD was determined by the Gensini score; and the serum galectin-3 levels were measured via ELISA. Serum galectin-3 levels were significantly higher in the patient group with CAD than in the control group (12.96±4.92 vs 5.52±1.9 ng/mL, p