Plasma Galectin-3 and Sonographic Measures of Carotid Atherosclerosis in the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities Study

Abstract

Galectin-3 is a β-galactoside-binding lectin that plays a role in the regulation of several conditions that are associated with atherosclerosis. The goal of this cross-sectional study was to assess the association of plasma galectin-3 concentrations with sonographic measures of carotid atherosclerosis in the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities study. Linear regression was used to determine the difference and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for carotid intima-media thickness (cIMT) by categorical and continuous representations of galectin-3. Logistic regression was used to determine the odds ratio and 95% CI, separately, for dichotomized cIMT (75th percentile = 0.9 mm) and carotid plaque and/or shadowing. Compared to those in the first quintile of galectin-3, those in the fifth quintile of galectin-3 level had higher cIMT (mean difference: 0.020 mm after multivariable adjustment; P trend = .04). Moreover, compared to those in the lowest galectin-3 quintile, those in the highest galectin-3 quintile had higher odds of carotid plaque/and or shadowing (odds ratio 1.13 after multivariable adjustment; P trend = .014). Higher levels of galectin-3 are associated with greater carotid atherosclerosis. Our findings provide support for the role of inflammatory biomarkers in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis and suggest galectin-3 as a possible target for intervention in the prevention or management of atherosclerotic disease.

Evaluation of Galectin-3 as a Novel Diagnostic Biomarker in Patients with Heart Failure with Preserved Ejection Fraction

“…35 Oyenuga et al demonstrated that higher levels of galectin-3 are associated with greater carotid atherosclerosis as measured by ultrasonography and suggested Galectin-3 as a possible target for trials of intervention in the prevention or management of atherosclerotic disease. 36 Several mechanisms are pivotal to the development of atherosclerosis that are stimulated by either local or circulating Galectin-3. Amplification of cardiovascular inflammation and lipid deposition in macrophage by Galectin-3 are the most important mechanisms.…”

Galectin-3 in Cardiovascular Diseases

“…High levels of Gal-3 have been associated with high-grade carotid atherosclerosis [104,105]. In the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) study, patients in the fifth quintile according to Gal-3 concentration showed a higher cIMT in comparison with patients in the first quintile [104].…”

“…High levels of Gal-3 have been associated with high-grade carotid atherosclerosis [104,105]. In the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) study, patients in the fifth quintile according to Gal-3 concentration showed a higher cIMT in comparison with patients in the first quintile [104]. Our research group recently demonstrated that high plasma concentrations of Gal-3 are reliable biomarkers of advanced atherosclerotic plaque as they are associated with plaque presence independent of age, sex, LDL-cholesterol levels and a previous AMI [105].…”

Galectin-3: An Early Marker of Gestational Diabetes, Subclinical Atherosclerosis, and Tumor Progression

“…Oyenuga et al reported that higher levels of galectin-3 were associated with greater carotid intima–media thickness. 1 They concluded that these findings support the role of inflammatory biomarkers in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis and suggest that galectin-3 could be a possible target for the prevention or management of atherosclerotic disease. 1…”

“…Emerging evidence suggests that galectin-3 is a useful biomarker with prognostic value not only in atherosclerosis 1 but also in gestational diabetes 2 and cancer. 3,4 Galectin-3 levels could be used in the future to monitor the progression and management of these diseases.…”