Plasma Galectin-3 and H-FABP correlate with poor physical performance in patients with congestive heart failure

Abstract

Heart failure (HF) is often associated with compromised physical capacity in patients. However, it is unclear if established HF markers correlate with the physical performance of patients with congestive HF (CHF). We assessed the left ventricular end-systolic dimension (LVESD) and ejection fraction (LVEF) and, physical performance parameters, including short physical performance battery (SPPB), gait speed (GS), and handgrip strength (HGS) in 80 patients with CHF along with 59 healthy controls. Furthermore, levels of plasma HF markers galectin-3 and heart-specific fatty acid binding protein (H-FABP) were measured in relation to the severity of HF and physical performance. Irrespective of etiology, significantly greater LVESD and lower LVEF were observed in HF patients versus controls. As expected, the levels of HF markers galectin-3 and H-FABP were upregulated in the CHF patients which were accompanied by significantly elevated levels of plasma zonulin and inflammatory marker C-reactive protein (CRP). The SPPB scores, GS, and HGS were significantly lower in the ischemic and non-ischemic HF patients than controls. The level of galectin-3 was inversely correlated with SPPB scores ( r2 = 0.089, P = 0.01) and HGS ( r2 = 0.078, P = 0.01). Similarly, H-FABP levels were also inversely correlated with SPPB scores ( r2 = 0.06, P = 0.03) and HGS ( r2 = 0.109, P = 0.004) in the patients with CHF. Taken together, CHF adversely affects physical performance, and galectin-3 and H-FABP may serve as biomarkers of physical disability in patients with CHF. The robust correlations of galectin-3 and H-FABP with the physical performance parameters and CRP in CHF patients suggest that the poor physical performance may partly be caused due to systemic inflammation.

Circulating H-FABP as a biomarker of frailty in patients with chronic heart failure

“…We recently reported the basic laboratory parameters and other phenotypic characteristics of these patients. 30 The echocardiographic investigations revealed significant LV chamber dilatation and LV contractile dysfunction in CHF patients with ischemic and non-ischemic heart failure (Table 1). The BMI was higher in both ischemic and non-ischemic CHF patients than in healthy controls.…”

“…29 Recently, we have reported that the plasma levels of H-FABP and galectin-3 negatively correlate with the physical performance of patients with CHF. 30 However, it is unknown whether these HF markers have any associations with frailty in patients with CHF.…”

Applications of Strain‐Specific Probiotics in the Management of Cardiovascular Diseases: A Systemic Review

“…[53] CRP has also been extensively studied with CVDs. [54,55] Chronic low-grade inflammation, resulting in high CRP levels, contributes to the development of atherosclerosis and other related heart disorders. [56][57][58] Probiotics have been shown to reduce CRP levels, thus suggesting their potential to modulate the immune response and alleviate inflammation, thereby decreasing the occurrence of CVD.…”

Statin Therapy Induces Gut Leakage and Neuromuscular Disjunction in Patients With Chronic Heart Failure

“…Echocardiography was performed as previously described. 24 In brief, two-dimensional (2D) echocardiography was performed through an echocardiography system containing a 3 MHz phased probe (Apollo i700, Canon Medical Systems, Beijing, China). The standard guidelines of the American Society of Echocardiography were followed.…”