Serum galectin-3BP as a novel marker of obesity and metabolic syndrome in Chinese adolescents

Abstract

IntroductionChildhood obesity (OB) and metabolic syndrome (MetS) have become a worldwide health problem. Comparative proteomic approaches are widely used in human OB to analyze protein changes in blood plasma. The present study determined the galectin-3 binding protein (galectin-3BP) expression level in different weight categories and assessed the associations between galectin-3BP and OB and MetS.Research design and methodsThe current study included 932 Chinese adolescents 13–18 years of age. The biochemical and anthropometric variables of all the subjects were evaluated using standardized procedures. The differentially expressed proteins (DEPs) were investigated among 60 adolescents (20 normal weight, 20 overweight and 20 obese) using tandem mass tag (TMT) quantitative proteomics. The serum galectin-3BP level was measured using ELISA. The associations between galectin-3BP and OB and MetS were analyzed in 932 adolescents using multiple logistic regression analyses.ResultsA significant DEP, galectin-3BP, can effectively separate the obese from the normal weight group using TMT. Adolescents in tertile 3 of galectin-3BP, when compared with adolescents in the tertile 1, were positively associated with OB (OR=3.32, 95% CI 1.79 to 6.16) and MetS (OR=3.28, 95% CI 1.30 to 8.26). The receiver operating characteristic curve for galectin-3BP in subjects with MetS indicated that the area under the curve was 0.85 (95% CI 0.79 to 0.91).ConclusionsThis study confirmed an association between galectin-3BP and OB in Chinese adolescents, and galectin-3BP was also positively associated with MetS, and thus might be useful for identifying adolescents with MetS.

Galectin 3 rs4644 gene polymorphism is associated with metabolic traits in Serbian adolescent population

“…Also, patients with severe obesity and elevated galectin-3 had >4-fold higher risk of developing heart failure. One of the studies conducted by Zhen et al (7), reported elevated expression of Galectin-3BP and positive correlation with obesity and MetS in 932 Chinese adolescents. On the other side Besma et al (21) obtained no statistically significant results regarding BMI among patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus regarding rs4644 genotype.…”

“…Previous researchers have found a positive correlation of circulating galectin 3 serum levels in general population with higher risk of cardiovascular, renal diseases, high blood pressure as well as with higher values of serum lipids and obesity (6). Also, galactines promote preadipocytes maturation into the lipidloaded adipocyte, which might contribute to central obesity (7). Moreover, deletion of LGALS3 gene in mice have shown defectiveness in adipose tissue maturation, which was accompanied by increased body inflammation, higher glucose level and impaired insulin sensitivity (8).…”

Gender-specific genetic and epigenetic signatures in cardiovascular disease

“…A study investigating links between body mass index (BMI) and differential methylation through whole-blood methylation analysis identified a particularly robust association in men. This was localized to a specific CpG site near the Lgals3bp gene ( 121 ), a recognized marker for obesity and metabolic syndrome ( 122 ). Additionally, higher levels of Line-1 methylation, responsible for coding transposable elements, were detected in men using peripheral blood.…”

Biological Markers in Obesity: Fundamental and Clinical Laboratory Aspects

“…В других исследованиях была показана связь системы БТШ с обменом глюкокортикоидов, минералокортикоидов и гормонов репродуктивной системы [ Помимо самого галектина-3, интерес представляет исследование связывающего белка -Galectin3BP (Galectin 3 binding protein), проведенного китайскими исследователями Zhen S. et al, на выборке, состоящей из 932 подростков (12-18 лет). Авторами исследования была получена статистически значимая ассоциация повышенных концентраций Galectin3BP с развитием ожирения и метаболического синдрома [Zhen S., 2021].…”