Galectin-3 as indicator of oxidative stress and inflammation in patients with chronic heart failure

Purpose: To estimate the connection between plasma level of galectin-3 and markers for oxidative stress and inflammation in patients with Chronic Heart Failure (CHF). Methods: 190 patients (age, 64.4±4.3 years) with documented prior myocardial infarction were included in the study. Patients were divided into 3 groups according Functional Class (FC) CHF NYHA. 1st group (n=54) - patients with II FC CHF, 2nd – 69 patients with III FC, and 3d group (n=67) - IV FC. The control group (CG) – 30 healthy people (age, 54.7±4.8 years). We determined the plasma level of galectin-3 by enzyme immunoassay. The intensity of oxidative stress was valued by oxidation of LDL (ox-LDL) and plasma level of SH-groups. As biomarker for inflammation we estimated the level of high-sensitivity C-Reactive Protein (hsCRP).We also measured the level of NT-proBNP, so that to verify the severity of CHF. Results: The level of galectin-3 (median) in all groups of patients was significantly higher than in CG. In the 1st, 2nd and 3d groups it was 9.5, 19 and 33 ng/ml. We observed significant difference between groups (p <0,001). We found an increase in ox-LDL in patients (45.5, 60 and 79 nmol/mg-protein) in comparison with CG (36.5 nmol/mg-protein). There was a significant positive correlation between levels of galectin-3 and ox-LDL in all groups of patients: r1=0.8, p1=0.00001; r2=0.75, p2=0.00003; r3=0.71, p3=0.00002. We found a significant decrease in the plasma level of SH-groups in patients in comparison with CG (p<0.01). We also identified a negative correlation between galectin-3 and SH-groups in patients with CHF: r1= -0.81, p1=0.00001; r2= -0.66, p2=0.00002; r3= -0.72, p3=0.00002). The level of hsCRP in groups of patients was 1.8; 3.3 and 6.5 mg/l accordingly, it was significantly higher than in CG (0,65mg/l). We also demonstrated a significant positive correlation between galectin-3 and hsCRP in groups: r1 = 0.573, p1 = 0.00085; r2 = 0.784, p2 = 0.00001; r3 = 0.687, p3 = 0.00007. Conclusions: Galectin-3 correlates with the severity of chronic heart failure. The plasma level of galectin-3 in patients with CHF is closely connected with markers for oxidative stress and inflammation, which confirms its participation in these pathogenic processes.