Galectin-3 Is Associated with Arterial Stiffness Among Hemodialysis Patients

Abstract

Aim: To evaluate the association between galectin-3 and arterial stiffness among hemodialysis patients. Methods: We enrolled 311 patients (median age: 61 years) with a median hemodialysis time of 90 months and a mean galectin-3 concentration of 29.78 ng/ml. Ninety-six (30.7%) had arterial stiffness diagnosed by the pulse-wave velocity over 10 m/s. Results: Galectin-3 was significantly associated with dialysis vintage, calcium, phosphorus and low-density lipoprotein. After adjustment for multiple cardiovascular risk factors, galectin-3 was independently associated with the pulse-wave velocity (partial r = 0.130; p = 0.035). This effect was still significant after additional adjustment for mean arterial pressure and single-pool Kt/V (partial r = 0.139; p = 0.014). Conclusion: Galectin-3 is independently associated with arterial stiffness among hemodialysis patients.

Keywords:

• arterial stiffness
• galectin-3
• hemodialysis
• pulse-wave velocity

Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank the assistance of L Dou, A Wang, and all nurses in the Department of Nephrology, Renji Hospital for providing help with the collection of blood samples.

Financial & competing interests disclosure

This study was supported by the National Key Technology R&D Program (2011BAI10B04 and 2011BAI10B08). The authors have no other relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript apart from those disclosed.

No writing assistance was utilized in the production of this manuscript.

Ethical conduct of research

The study was approved by the ethics committee of Renji Hospital, and all patients have signed the informed consent.

Additional information

Funding

This study was supported by the National Key Technology R&D Program (2011BAI10B04 and 2011BAI10B08). The authors have no other relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript apart from those disclosed.