Galectin-3 as a prognostic biomarker for diabetic nephropathy

Abstract

Hossam Hodeib,1 Maha M Hagras,1 Dina Abdelhai,1 Mona M Watany,1 Amal Selim,2 Mohamed A Tawfik,2 Mohamed A Elsebaey,2 Samah A Elshweikh2 1Clinical Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Tanta University, Tanta, Egypt; 2Internal Medicine Department, Faculty of Medicine, Tanta University, Tanta, Egypt Introduction: Diabetic nephropathy (DN) represents one of the main causes of end-stage renal disease in type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) patients. Galectin-3 has been implicated in pathogenesis of many pathological conditions. To date, there are limited data regarding the relationship between galectin-3 and DN.  Aim of the study: Evaluation of serum galectin-3 as a novel prognostic biomarker in patients with DN.  Patients and methods: This prospective study was carried out in the Internal Medicine and Clinical Pathology Departments, Tanta University Hospital, Egypt, from March 2015 to March 2018 on 300 patients with type 2 DM. Patients were divided into three groups: group I included 100 patients with albumin/creatinine ratio (ACR) 300 mg/g (macroalbuminuria). All patients were subjected to the following: full history taking, clinical examination, and laboratory evaluation (HbA1c, creatinine, estimated glomerular filtration rate, ACR, and serum galectin-3). Results: The mean levels of galectin-3 were significantly higher in patients with macroalbuminuria than in those with microalbuminuria and normoalbuminuria. Galectin-3 was a significant predictor for progression to microalbuminuria, macroalbuminuria, dialysis, and death among patients with type 2 DM. Conclusion: Based on this single center prospective study, serum galectin-3 is considered a significant predictor for DN progression among patients with type 2 DM. Keywords: diabetic nephropathy, galectin-3, albumin/creatinine ratio, microalbuminuria, macroalbuminuria, dialysis, diabetes mellitus

Keywords

• Diabetic nephropathy
• galectin-3
• albumin/ creatinine ratio.