Galectin-3 levels and inflammatory response in patients undergoing bariatric surgery

Obesity, a low-grade systemic inflammatory disease, causes inflammation in metabolic tissues. Galectin-3(Gal-3) is one of the lectin molecules involved in inflammatory processes. We evaluated the possible relationship between Gal-3 level and the metabolic inflammatory process before and after obesity surgery.

One hundred participants were included in the study and classified as normal weight, overweight, Class I, II, and III obese. Class III obese group underwent bariatric surgery and evaluated in the 3rd and 6th months after surgery. Glucose, insulin, glycated hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP), Gal-3, interleukin (IL)-6, IL-10, adiponectin, and leptin levels were determined.

Gal-3 levels were higher in Class III obese compared to the normal weight group. Postoperative leptin and hsCRP levels were decreased significantly, but the decrease in IL-6 and Gal-3 levels were not significant. Postoperative increased adiponectin and IL-10 levels were significant. Gal-3 was found significantly higher in insulin resistant group. The correlation between Gal-3 with BMI, adiponectin, leptin, hsCRP levels, and HOMA-IR was found weak.

These findings might support the fact that Gal-3 is one of the molecules involved in the linkage between insulin resistance and meta-inflammation in morbid obese.