[Galectin-3, Markers of Oxidative Stress and Renal Dysfunction in Patients With Chronic Heart Failure].

OBJECTIVE: to determine levels of galectin-3, markers of renal dysfunction, and plasma oxidative stress; to assess their correlation in patients with chronic heart failure (CHF) of various severity. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We included in this study 157 CHF patients (with documented prior myocardial infarction. Patients were divided into 3 groups according to their NYHA functional class (group 1 - class II n=60, group 2 - class III n=52, group 3 - class IV n=45). All patients underwent clinical examination, echocardiography. Laboratory parameters included measurement of plasma levels of galectin-3, NT-proBNP, as well as markers of oxidative stress (oxidized low density lipoprotein cholesterol [oxLDLC], SH-groups) and renal dysfunction (creatinine, uric acid, cystatin-C). RESULTS: The level of galectin-3 (median) in groups 1, 2, and 3 was 10, 19 and 38 ng/ml respectively. There were significant differences between groups (p<0,001). In all groups levels of galectin-3 significantly (p<0.01) correlated with those of oxLDL (positively) and SH-groups (negatively): r1=0.52, r2=0.59, r3=0.63, p<0.01, and r1=-0.58, r2=-0.65, r3=-0.71, respectively. Correlation analysis also revealed close and moderate correlations between galectin-3 and cystatin-C, glomerular filtration rate, and uric acid. CONCLUSIONS: In patients with CHF and prior myocardial infarction plasma concentration of galectin-3 was associated with severity of CHF and significantly correlated with markers of renal dysfunction and plasma oxidative stress.