Elevated serum levels of galectin-3 binding protein is associated with insulin resistance in non-diabeteic women after menopause

Abstract

Background Galectin-3 binding protein (GAL-3BP) is one of the major fucosylated glycoprotein family members, and is implicated in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, lipid dysfunctions and coronary artery disease recently. Here we analyzed the serum concentrations of GAL-3BP in postmenopausal women, to evaluate the association of circulating GAL-3BP and insulin resistance in female after menopause.Method We evaluated serum levels of Gal-3BP in sixty-two non-diabetic women in menopausal status for at least one year. The clinical features, biochemistry profiles and homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) were obtained routinely.Results Gal-3BP levels increased in women with higher HOMA-IR values and was positively correlated to HOMA-IR. It was also an independent risk factors for HOMA-IR and showed the most influence on HOMA-IR comparing to FPG, TG, age and BMI. The cut-off value of serum Gal-3BP level was 2234.3150 ng/ml with the area under the ROC curve (AUC) 0.68 (HOMA-IR 1.5), 0.81 (HOMA-IR 2.0) and 0.93 (HOMA-IR 2.5).Conclusions Serum levels of Gal-3BP is associated with impaired insulin sensitivity in non-diabetic menopausal women.