Independent Associations of Circulating Galectin-3 Concentrations With Aortic Pulse Wave Velocity and Wave Reflection in a Community Sample

Abstract

Abstract-Although the profibrotic inflammatory substance galectin-3 predicts outcomes in the general population, the mechanisms responsible for this effect are uncertain. We aimed to determine whether circulating galectin-3 concentrations are associated with carotid femoral (aortic) pulse wave velocity and aortic reflective wave index (applanation tonometry and SphygmoCor software) in 966 randomly selected participants from a community sample. Galectin-3 concentrations were not independently associated with office (n=966) or 24-hour (n=661) systolic (P=0.88-0.92) or diastolic (P=0.65-0.94) blood pressure. In contrast, with adjustments for age, sex (in all participants), office or 24-hour mean arterial pressure (or systolic blood pressure and pulse pressure), pulse rate, body mass index, regular smoking, regular alcohol intake, total cholesterol concentrations, diabetes mellitus or an glycohemoglobin >6.1%, treatment for hypertension, and estimated glomerular filtration rate, galectin-3 was independently associated with aortic pulse wave velocity in all participants (partial r=0.15, P<0.0001) and reflective wave index in men (partial r=0.13, P<0.02). In 745 participants who had never received antihypertensive therapy, galectin-3 concentrations were similarly independently associated with pulse wave velocity in all participants (partial=0.16, P<0.0001) and reflective wave index in men (partial r=0.15, P<0.02). The blood pressureindependent relations between galectin-3 concentrations and aortic hemodynamics persisted with further adjustments for C-reactive protein concentrations (pulse wave velocity in all participants: partial r=0.14, P<0.0001; reflective wave index in men: partial r=0.12, P<0.05). In conclusion, despite a lack of independent association with brachial blood pressure, the profibrotic inflammatory substance galectin-3 may contribute toward adverse outcomes through an effect on aortic stiffness, an effect that cannot be attributed to general inflammatory changes. (Hypertension. 2015;65:1356-1364.

Galectin‐3 and Hypertensive Heart Disease

“…In a recent study carried out in 966 randomly selected participants from a community sample, Gal‐3 concentrations were not found to be independently associated with office or, more importantly, ambulatory BP . This result is in contrast to prior study findings showing a relationship between Gal‐3 and either the hypertensive condition or office BP values.…”

Beneficial Effects of Galectin-3 Blockade in Vascular and Aortic Valve Alterations in an Experimental Pressure Overload Model

“…Moreover, Gal-3 promotes the vascular calcification associated with atherosclerosis [ 15 ]. Interestingly, Gal-3 positively associated with pulse wave velocity, an index of arterial stiffness in a community sample [ 24 ]. The authors suggest that Gal-3 may contribute toward adverse cardiovascular effects in-part through an effect on aortic stiffness, effects which cannot be attributed to generalized inflammation.…”

Differences in galectin-3, a biomarker of fibrosis, between participants with peripheral artery disease and participants with normal ankle–brachial index

“…30, 31 Furthermore, arterial elasticity is impaired in patients with PAD. 32 Libhaber et al, 33 found a significant correlation between G3 and carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity, which primarily measures the arterial elasticity of the aorta, in 966 participants of African descent in South Africa. The lack of association between G3 and arterial elasticity in the current study suggests that a global measurement of DPCA fails to detect differences in predominantly large vessels like the aorta.…”