Serum galectin-3: a risk factor for vascular complications in type 2 diabetes mellitus

Background Plasma galectin-3,a mediator of fibrogenesis and inflammation,its potential to associate with type 2 diabetes (T2DM) is poorly investigated.Here,we explored its interaction with the serum galectin-3 and vascular complications.Methods We conducted a population-based cross-sectional survey in Zhejiang,China involving 165 men and 119 women (age range,43-84 years),investigating the relationship between serum galectin-3 and vascular disease in patients with T2DM.Results Serum galectin-3 was higher in subjects with T2DM than that in control participants (27.4 vs.17.6 ng/ml,P ＜0.001).Compared with subjects with galectin-3 values in the lowest quartile,those with values in the highest quartile had an increased likelihood of vascular complications (4th quartile odds ratio (OR) 2.52,95％ confidence interval (CI),1.25-4.07).Increased risk of micro-or macrovascular complications corrrelated with serum galectin-3 concentration (ORs 11.4and 8.5,respectively).An increased number of vascular complications was associated with high serum galectin-3 levels (P＜0.05).Patients with serum galectin-3 levels ＞25 ng/ml had an elevated risk of diabetes relative to patients with levels ＜10ng/ml (OR for any vascular complication 2.64,for heart failure 3.97,for nephropathy 4.09,for peripheral arterial disease (PAD) 4.18; all P ＜0.05).Complication risk was higher in patients with neurogenic,stroke,or retinopathy complications,but this difference was not significant after risk factor adjustment.Serum galectin-3 levels correlated with diabetes duration,C-reactive protein (CRP) levels,and albuminuria.Conclusion High galectin-3 values were associated with increased odds of developing heart failure,nephropathy,and peripheral arterial disease in patients with T2DM.