Circulating galectin-3 level association with cardiovascular risk factors during peritoneal dialysis

Xuerui Yang1, Jun Yang1, Youjia Zeng1

  • 1Department of Nephrology, Shenzhen Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital, The Fourth Clinical Medical College of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, 1 Fuhua Road, Futian District, Shenzhen, 518033, Guangdong, China.

Insights

Serum Galectin-3 (Gal-3) levels are linked to cardiovascular disease risk factors in peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients. Higher Gal-3 correlates with markers like BNP and GDF-15, suggesting its potential as a CVD biomarker in PD.

Area of Science:

  • Nephrology
  • Cardiology
  • Biomarkers

Background:

  • Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of death in end-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients on peritoneal dialysis (PD).
  • Galectin-3 (Gal-3) is a molecule implicated in CVD mortality, making it a subject of interest in PD patient populations.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the association between serum Galectin-3 (Gal-3) levels and cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors in patients undergoing peritoneal dialysis (PD).

Main Methods:

  • A cross-sectional study involving 114 PD patients with over 3 months of treatment.
  • Serum Gal-3 levels were measured using ELISA.
  • Statistical analyses included Mann-Whitney U tests, t tests, correlation analyses, and multivariate regression.

Main Results:

  • Gal-3 levels positively correlated with PD duration, B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP), growth differentiation factor 15 (GDF-15), interventricular septal thickness (IVST), and left ventricular mass index (LVMI).
  • A negative correlation was observed between Gal-3 and albumin levels.
  • Multivariate regression confirmed positive associations with BNP, GDF-15, PD duration, IVST, and LVMI, and a negative association with albumin.

Conclusions:

  • Galectin-3 (Gal-3) shows a strong association with key cardiovascular markers (BNP, GDF-15, IVST, LVMI) in PD patients.
  • Further prospective research is warranted to evaluate Gal-3 as a predictive biomarker for adverse cardiovascular events in this population.
Abstract