Galectin-3, Metabolic Risk, and Incident Heart Failure: The ARIC Study.

Area of Science:

• Cardiovascular Disease Epidemiology
• Biomarker Research
• Metabolic Health

Background:

• The interplay between metabolic syndrome (MetS), diabetes, and heart failure (HF) risk is not fully understood.
• Galectin-3 (Gal-3) is a potential biomarker implicated in cardiovascular disease, but its role in MetS and diabetes-related HF risk requires clarification.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the association between MetS and diabetes with galectin-3 (Gal-3) levels.
• To evaluate the combined impact of MetS, diabetes, and Gal-3 on the risk of developing incident heart failure (HF).

Main Methods:

• Utilized data from 8445 participants without HF from the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) study.
• Categorized participants based on MetS and diabetes status, and MetS severity score.
• Employed logistic and Cox regression models to assess cross-sectional and longitudinal associations with elevated Gal-3 and incident HF.

Main Results:

• MetS alone and MetS with diabetes were associated with elevated Gal-3 levels compared to no MetS and no diabetes.
• The combination of MetS with diabetes and high Gal-3 (≥75th percentile) was linked to a 4-fold increased HF risk.
• Gal-3 provided significant prognostic value for HF, independent of other established biomarkers like NT-proBNP, troponin T, and CRP.

Conclusions:

• Metabolic syndrome and diabetes are independently associated with higher galectin-3 levels.
• Elevated galectin-3, particularly in individuals with both MetS and diabetes, significantly amplifies heart failure risk.
• Galectin-3 serves as a valuable independent predictor of incident heart failure.