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Published on: February 28, 2013
ASSOCIATION BETWEEN GALECTIN-3 AND MICROVASCULAR COMPLICATIONS IN TYPE 2 DIABETES MELLITUS: A COMPARATIVE STUDY
A Manzoorudeen1, I Ismail1, A Hashim1
1Department of Medical Laboratory Science, College of Health Sciences, Gulf Medical University, Ajman, UAE.
Background:
Galectin-3 is a β-galactoside-binding lectin involved in inflammation and fibrosis and has been implicated in the pathogenesis of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and its microvascular complications. This study aimed to evaluate the association between serum galectin-3 levels and microvascular complications in patients with T2DM and to determine whether this association persists after adjustment for relevant clinical factors.
Materials And Methods:
This comparative cross-sectional study included 64 participants recruited from Thumbay University Hospital, Ajman, UAE. Participants were divided into two groups: 32 patients with T2DM and established microvascular complications and 32 healthy controls. Serum galectin-3 levels were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Clinical and biochemical parameters, including body mass index (BMI), HbA1c, fasting blood glucose, lipid profile, and microalbuminuria, were assessed. Multivariable linear regression analysis was performed with microalbuminuria as the dependent variable, adjusting for BMI, HbA1c, and age.
Results:
Serum galectin-3 levels were significantly higher in patients with T2DM and microvascular complications compared with healthy controls (p<0.001). Galectin-3 showed a strong positive correlation with microalbuminuria (p=0.720, p<0.001) and a moderate positive correlation with HbA1c (p=0.599, p<0.001). However, in multivariable regression analysis, galectin-3 was not independently associated with microalbuminuria after adjustment for BMI, HbA1c, and age (p=0.197), whereas HbA1c remained a significant independent predictor (p<0.001).
Conclusion:
Although serum galectin-3 levels are elevated in patients with T2DM and microvascular complications and demonstrate strong univariate associations with microalbuminuria, galectin-3 does not remain independently associated after adjustment for BMI and glycemic control. These findings suggest that galectin-3 may reflect underlying metabolic and inflammatory burden rather than acting as an independent predictor of microvascular complications in T2DM.
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