Evaluation of galectin-3 in patients with heart failure and its relationship with NT-proBNP levels: A case-control study

Abstract

Aim: Cardiac fibrosis, a pathological phenomenon in cardiac remodeling, is associated with heart diseases. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship of Galectin-3 with N-terminal pro B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-pro-BNP) levels in patients with heart failure (HF). Methods: A total of 50 patients with HF (patient group) and 30 subjects with normal ejection fractions (control group) were enrolled in this study. Serum galectin-3 levels and plasma NT-pro-BNP were measured in all subjects. Demographic and clinical characteristics of the patients were recorded. The Galectin-3 and NT-pro-BNP levels were compared between the groups. Results: Patients with HF had significantly higher Galectin-3 and NT-pro-BNP levels than control subjects (37.5 (18.0-80.0) versus 12.00 (8.00-14.00), P<0.001; 467.0 (1157.5-5107.2) versus 50.0 (35.0-102.0), P<0.001, respectively). Galectin-3 was correlated with serum glucose, creatine, left atrial diameter, ejection fraction and NT-pro-BNP in the HF patients. There was a positive and significant correlation between the NT-pro-BNP and Galectin-3 levels (r=0.742, P=0.001). In addition, there was an inverse and significant correlation between the ejection fraction and Galectin-3 levels (r=-0.556, P=0.001). Conclusion: The present study demonstrates that galectin-3 and NT-pro-BNP levels are significantly higher in patients with systolic HF. Galectin-3 was positively and significantly correlated with the NT-pro-BNP and inversely correlated with ejection fraction.