Correlation of serum galectin-3 level with renal volume and function in adult polycystic kidney disease

The decrease in kidney functions in autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) is strongly correlated with the severity and growth of kidney cysts. Total kidney volume (TKV) was shown to be an early marker of the severity of the disease and a predictor of reduction in kidney functions. New treatment approaches for ADPKD have led to a need for easily applicable strong biomarkers predicting progression of the disease. The profibrotic mediator of galectin-3 (Gal-3) is linked to development of renal fibrosis.

The study included 74 patients with ADPKD diagnosis and 40 healthy controls. The TKV of patients was calculated using the manual tracing method on MR images. The serum Gal-3 levels of patient and healthy control groups were measured with the ELISA method. The correlations between serum Gal-3 value with TKV and kidney function were assessed in patients.

As the stage of chronic kidney disease (CKD) increased, serum Gal-3 and TKV values increased (p < 0.001, p = 0.049, respectively). Correlation analysis found a negative relationship between serum Gal-3 levels and eGFR (r: - 0.515, p < 0.001); however, there was no relationship between serum Gal-3 and TKV (r = 0.112, p = 0.344). Linear regression analysis showed the major parameter affecting Gal-3 was eGFR (p = 0.016).

In our study, we showed that renal impairment is an important determinant of Gal-3, and there is no correlation of Gal-3 and TKV in ADPKD. As a result, there is an urgent clinical need for new biomarkers to identify individuals with the chance of treatment in the early stage among ADPKD patients.