Association between galectin-3 and hepatosteatosis in a community-based cross-sectional study

Hepatosteatosis is a common condition that can lead to cirrhosis and liver cancer. Galectin-3 (GAL-3) has been implicated in liver fibrosis and inflammation.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the association between GAL-3 and hepatosteatosis.

This study is a retrospective secondary analysis of data from a community health screening program.

A total of 766 participants were included in the final analysis. Hepatosteatosis was diagnosed using ultrasonography, and GAL-3 levels were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Logistic regression analysis was used to examine the association between GAL-3 levels and the presence of hepatosteatosis, adjusting for age, sex, and other potential confounding factors.

The prevalence of moderate-to-severe hepatosteatosis in the study population was 31.5%. The participants with hepatosteatosis had a significantly higher mean level of GAL-3 compared to those without hepatosteatosis (16.6 ± 7.3 vs 13.5 ± 7.3 ng/ml; p < 0.001). After adjusting for age, sex, body mass index, and other potential confounding factors, a higher level of GAL-3 was significantly associated with an increased risk of moderate-to-severe hepatosteatosis (adjusted odds ratio (aOR) 1.24, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.05-1.46, p = 0.010). The coexistence of alanine transaminase/aspartate transaminase ratio >1 and GAL-3 >14.4 ng/ml was associated with a significantly increased risk (aOR 3.37, 95% CI: 1.90-5.99, p < 0.001).

Our findings suggest that GAL-3 level is significantly associated with the presence of moderate-to-severe hepatosteatosis, independent of other known cardiometabolic risk factors.