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. 2019 Jan;70(1):47-55.
doi: 10.1177/0003319718780772. Epub 2018 Jun 7.

Plasma Galectin-3 and Sonographic Measures of Carotid Atherosclerosis in the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities Study

Abayomi Oyenuga  1 , Aaron R Folsom  1 , Oluwaseun Fashanu  2 , David Aguilar  3 , Christie M Ballantyne  4
Affiliations

Plasma Galectin-3 and Sonographic Measures of Carotid Atherosclerosis in the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities Study

Abayomi Oyenuga et al. Angiology. 2019 Jan.

Abstract

Galectin-3 is a β-galactoside-binding lectin that plays a role in the regulation of several conditions that are associated with atherosclerosis. The goal of this cross-sectional study was to assess the association of plasma galectin-3 concentrations with sonographic measures of carotid atherosclerosis in the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities study. Linear regression was used to determine the difference and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for carotid intima-media thickness (cIMT) by categorical and continuous representations of galectin-3. Logistic regression was used to determine the odds ratio and 95% CI, separately, for dichotomized cIMT (75th percentile = 0.9 mm) and carotid plaque and/or shadowing. Compared to those in the first quintile of galectin-3, those in the fifth quintile of galectin-3 level had higher cIMT (mean difference: 0.020 mm after multivariable adjustment; P trend = .04). Moreover, compared to those in the lowest galectin-3 quintile, those in the highest galectin-3 quintile had higher odds of carotid plaque/and or shadowing (odds ratio 1.13 after multivariable adjustment; P trend = .014). Higher levels of galectin-3 are associated with greater carotid atherosclerosis. Our findings provide support for the role of inflammatory biomarkers in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis and suggest galectin-3 as a possible target for intervention in the prevention or management of atherosclerotic disease.

Keywords: ARIC; atherosclerosis; carotid intima–media thickness; galectin-3; plaque; shadowing.

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Conflict of interest statement

Declaration of Conflicting Interests

Financial disclosure for Christie M. Ballantyne, MD:

Grant/research support: Abbott Diagnostics, Roche Diagnostics (to institution, not individual).

Consultant: Abbott Diagnostics, Roche Diagnostics.

Patent pending: Provisional patent (patent no. 61721475) entitled “Biomarkers to Improve Prediction of Heart Failure Risk” filed by Baylor College of Medicine and Roche.

The other co-authors have no conflicts of interest to disclose.

Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1.
Eligibility Determination for Galectin-3 and Atherosclerosis, ARIC 1996–1998.
Figure 2.
Figure 2.
A. Difference (SE) in Mean Carotid IMT (mm). B. Odds Ratios (95% CI) for Mean Carotid IMT > 75th Percentile. C. Odds Ratios (95% CI) for Carotid Plaque and/or shadowing, in Relation to Plasma Galectin-3 Quintiles, ARIC 1996–1998. *Graphs Shown are for Model 1.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

Comment in

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