Evaluation of Serum Galectin-3 level in Varicocele Patients

Abstract

Background: Varicocele is connected with oxidative damage. Carbohydrate binding lectin galectin-3 has a role in regulating oxidative stress, inflammation, fibrosis, and angiogenesis. The purpose of this study is to examine galectin-3 levels between patients with a varicocele and healthy controls. Methods and Subjects: Group (A) consisted of 30 patients with oligoasthenoteratozoospermia, Group (B) consisted of 30 patients with normozoospermia, and Group (C) consisted of 20 healthy persons of the same age range as the patients. All subjects had their blood galectin-3 quantified using ELISA, and their varicocele severity was determined using the standard Dubin grading system. The age, smoking status, and body mass index of the patients and controls did not vary significantly. With respect to galectin-3, there was a statistically significant difference between the patient and control groups. There was a statistically significant (P 0.001) difference in serum galectin levels between the groups. An additional post hoc analysis showed that it was considerably greater in group A compared to groups B and C. Further, group B had a much greater rate than group C. The results of the present investigation revealed that serum galectin-3 levels were higher in individuals with varicoceles and were associated with semen parameters.