High Serum Galectin-3 Level as a Potential Biomarker of Peripheral Artery Disease in Patients Undergoing Hemodialysis.

BACKGROUND

Galectin-3 is implicated in the pathogenesis of inflammation and atherosclerosis. Peripheral arterial disease (PAD), characterized by a reduced ankle-brachial index (ABI), is a prognostic marker for mortality in patients on hemodialysis. We investigated the relationship between serum galectin-3 levels and PAD in patients undergoing regular hemodialysis.

METHODS

We carried out a cross-sectional study at a medical center, involving 92 participants. Serum galectin-3 levels were assessed by a commercially available enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. ABI measurement was done with an automatic device based on oscillometry. Participants were categorized into two groups, normal and low ABI, based on a 0.9 cut-off point.

RESULTS

Eighteen patients (19.6%) exhibited a low ABI. In individuals with low ABIs, we observed a greater prevalence of diabetes mellitus, elevated serum C-reactive protein (CRP) levels, increased galectin-3 levels, and lower serum creatinine levels. Furthermore, serum galectin-3 levels (odds ratio [OR]: 1.056, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.003-1.112, = 0.037) and CRP (per 0.1 mg/dL increment, OR: 1.195, 95% CI: 1.032-1.383, = 0.017) were identified as independent predictors of PAD. Serum galectin-3 and log-transformed CRP levels were also independently and significantly negatively correlated with the left and right ABI values.

CONCLUSIONS

Serum galectin-3 levels correlate with PAD in patients undergoing maintenance hemodialysis.