Circulating galectin-3 level association with cardiovascular risk factors during peritoneal dialysis

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) represents the primary cause of mortality in patients afflicted with end-stage renal disease and undergoing peritoneal dialysis (PD) treatment. Galectin-3 (Gal-3), a molecule known to exhibit a correlation with CVD mortality garners considerable interest. The objective of this study was to explore the potential association between serum Gal-3 levels and other CVD risk factors among PD patients.

In this cross-sectional study, a total of 114 PD patients with a minimum of 3 months of PD treatment were enrolled. Serum Gal-3 levels were quantified using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The data of patients with Gal-3 levels higher and lower than 26.744 pg/ml were compared using Mann–Whitney U tests or t tests. Pearson’s correlation or Spearman’s correlation analysis and multivariate regression were used to assess the associations between the known risk factors for CVD and Gal-3.

In comparison to the inter-group baseline data, the low Gal-3 group exhibited a higher glomerular filtration rate (GFR). Gal-3 levels correlate positively with PD duration, B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP), growth differentiation factor 15 (GDF-15), interventricular septal thickness in diastolic (IVST), and left ventricular mass index (LVMI). Conversely, Gal-3 exhibited a negative correlation with albumin levels. Multivariate linear regression analysis demonstrated a positive correlation between Gal-3 levels and BNP, GDF-15, PD duration, IVST and LVMI. Gal-3 levels were negatively correlated with albumin levels.

Gal-3 was strongly associated with BNP, GDF-15, IVST and LVMI in patients undergoing PD treatment. Prospective studies should be carried out to determine whether Gal-3 can be a promising biomarker in predicting increased risk of adverse cardiovascular events in PD patients.