Related Experiment Video

Updated: Sep 6, 2025

Scanning Electron Microscopy of Macerated Tissue to Visualize the Extracellular Matrix
10:21

Scanning Electron Microscopy of Macerated Tissue to Visualize the Extracellular Matrix

Published on: June 14, 2016

10.2K

Galectin-3 and fibrosis intensity in Chronic Chagas Cardiomyopathy: a systematic review

Ana Thereza Chaves1, Ana Laura Grossi de Oliveira1, Nathalia Sernizon Guimarães1

  • 1Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Faculdade de Medicina, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências da Saúde: Medicina Tropical e Doenças Infecciosas, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil.

Revista Do Instituto De Medicina Tropical De Sao Paulo
|June 24, 2022
PubMed

Insights

Galectin-3 may not be a reliable biomarker for fibrosis in Chronic Chagas Cardiomyopathy (CCC). While animal studies suggest a link, human data shows no significant association, questioning its clinical utility for fibrosis assessment in Chagas disease.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Immunology
  • Biomarker Research

Background:

  • Chronic Chagas Cardiomyopathy (CCC) is a significant cause of myocarditis, characterized by inflammation, structural changes, and fibrosis.
  • Galectin-3 is implicated in inflammatory processes and myocardial fibrosis, but its role in CCC fibrosis remains unclear.
  • Early identification of fibrosis intensity is crucial for guiding pharmacological therapy in CCC.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To systematically review and evaluate Galectin-3 as a biomarker for fibrosis intensity in Chronic Chagas Cardiomyopathy (CCC).

Main Methods:

  • A systematic review was conducted by two independent reviewers across five databases (PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, Scopus, Lilacs).
  • Search terms included 'galectin-3', 'biomarkers', 'fibrosis', 'Chagas cardiomyopathy', and 'Chagas disease'.
  • Seven studies (four animal models, three human) met the inclusion criteria.

Main Results:

  • Experimental data from animal models (75% of studies) indicated an association between Galectin-3 expression and fibrosis in CCC.
  • However, human studies (80% of studies) found no direct connection between myocardial fibrosis and Galectin-3 expression.
  • Human findings did not provide significant evidence linking Galectin-3 to fibrosis development in Chagas disease.

Conclusions:

  • Based on current human data, Galectin-3 may not be a suitable biomarker for assessing fibrosis intensity in Chronic Chagas Cardiomyopathy.
  • Further research is needed to clarify the role of Galectin-3 in the pathophysiology of Chagas disease and its potential as a biomarker.

More Related Videos

An Experimental Model of Myocardial Infarction for Studying Cardiac Repair and Remodeling in Knockout Mice09:29

An Experimental Model of Myocardial Infarction for Studying Cardiac Repair and Remodeling in Knockout Mice

Published on: July 14, 2023

902
Refined CLARITY-Based Tissue Clearing for Three-Dimensional Fibroblast Organization in Healthy and Injured Mouse Hearts07:10

Refined CLARITY-Based Tissue Clearing for Three-Dimensional Fibroblast Organization in Healthy and Injured Mouse Hearts

Published on: May 16, 2021

4.8K

Related Concept Videos

Cardiomyopathy III: Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy01:29

Cardiomyopathy III: Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, or HCM, is an autosomal dominant genetic disorder characterized by asymmetric left ventricular hypertrophy without ventricular dilation. It is more common in men and is typically diagnosed in young, athletic adults.EtiologyHCM is primarily genetic and is caused by mutations in genes encoding sarcomeric proteins. Researchers have identified over 1400 mutations across at least 11 different genes. Among these, the most frequently occurring mutations are found in the...
45
Cardiomyopathy I: Introduction and Classification01:25

Cardiomyopathy I: Introduction and Classification

Cardiomyopathy, or CMP, is a group of diseases affecting the myocardial structure, impairing its ability to pump blood effectively. This condition can lead to arrhythmias, heart failure, or sudden cardiac death.Cardiomyopathies are classified into primary and secondary categories:Primary Cardiomyopathy refers to conditions involving only the heart muscle that are often idiopathic (of unknown cause) or genetic. They primarily affect the myocardium without the involvement of other systemic...
49
Cardiomyopathy IV: Restrictive Cardiomyopathy01:29

Cardiomyopathy IV: Restrictive Cardiomyopathy

Restrictive cardiomyopathy (RCM) is a rare heart muscle disease characterized by impaired ventricular filling due to stiffened ventricular walls, leading to significant diastolic dysfunction.EtiologyRestrictive cardiomyopathy can arise from both inherited and acquired diseases, many of which are systemic. It is categorized into four main types: infiltrative, storage, non-infiltrative, and endomyocardial diseases.Infiltrative diseases, such as amyloidosis, lead to RCM by depositing amyloid...
23
Cardiomyopathy II: Dilated Cardiomyopathy01:30

Cardiomyopathy II: Dilated Cardiomyopathy

Dilated cardiomyopathy, or DCM, is a progressive myocardial disorder characterized by ventricular chamber dilation and contractile dysfunction.EtiologyVarious factors can cause DCM, including hypertension and heavy alcohol intake, which contribute to the weakening and enlargement of the heart muscle. Viral infections, such as Coxsackievirus B, adenoviruses, and influenza, can lead to DCM by causing inflammation and damage to heart tissue. Certain chemotherapeutic agents, including daunorubicin,...
21
Myocarditis I: Introduction01:21

Myocarditis I: Introduction

Myocarditis is inflammation of the myocardium, which is the muscular layer of the heart.EtiologyMyocarditis has a diverse etiology, including a wide range of infectious and non-infectious causes:Infectious CausesViral: Common viruses include Coxsackie A and B, adenovirus, parvovirus B19, enteroviruses, and influenza A.Bacterial: Examples include infections caused by Streptococcus, Staphylococcus, and Mycoplasma species.Rickettsial: Infections like Rocky Mountain spotted fever can result in...
28
Heart Failure II: Pathophysiology01:29

Heart Failure II: Pathophysiology

Systolic Heart Failure and Compensatory MechanismsSystolic heart failure (also termed HFrEF, Heart Failure with Reduced Ejection Fraction) is the most prevalent type of heart filure. It results in a decreased volume of blood being pumped from the ventricle. The aortic arch and carotid sinuses have baroreceptors that detect reduced blood pressure, triggering the sympathetic nervous system (SNS) to release epinephrine and norepinephrine. Initially, this response aims to boost heart rate and...
31