Independent Associations of Circulating Galectin-3 Concentrations With Aortic Pulse Wave Velocity and Wave Reflection in a Community Sample. Issue 6 (June 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Libhaber, Elena; Woodiwiss, Angela J.; Raymond, Andrew; Gomes, Monica; Maseko, Muzi J.; Sareli, Pinhas; Norton, Gavin R.
• Is Part Of: Hypertension. Volume 65:Issue 6(2015:Jun.)
• Publication Date: 2015-06
• Subjects: Hypertension -- Periodicals; Hypertension -- Treatment -- Periodicals; 616.132005
• DOI: 10.1161/HYPERTENSIONAHA.115.05159
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0194-911X

Abstract

<abstract> <title> <x xml:space="preserve">Abstract</x> </title> <sec> <p>Although the profibrotic inflammatory substance galectin-3 predicts outcomes in the general population, the mechanisms responsible for this effect are uncertain. We aimed to determine whether circulating galectin-3 concentrations are associated with carotid femoral (aortic) pulse wave velocity and aortic reflective wave index (applanation tonometry and SphygmoCor software) in 966 randomly selected participants from a community sample. Galectin-3 concentrations were not independently associated with office (n=966) or 24-hour (n=661) systolic (<italic>P</italic>=0.88–0.92) or diastolic (<italic>P</italic>=0.65–0.94) blood pressure. In contrast, with adjustments for age, sex (in all participants), office or 24-hour mean arterial pressure (or systolic blood pressure and pulse pressure), pulse rate, body mass index, regular smoking, regular alcohol intake, total cholesterol concentrations, diabetes mellitus or an glycohemoglobin >6.1%, treatment for hypertension, and estimated glomerular filtration rate, galectin-3 was independently associated with aortic pulse wave velocity in all participants (partial <italic>r</italic>=0.15, <italic>P</italic><0.0001) and reflective wave index in men (partial <italic>r</italic>=0.13, <italic>P</italic><0.02). In 745 participants who had never received antihypertensive therapy, galectin-3 concentrations were similarly independently associated with pulse wave velocity in all participants (partial=0.16, <italic>P</italic><0.0001) and reflective wave index in men (partial <italic>r</italic>=0.15, <italic>P</italic><0.02). The blood pressure–independent relations between galectin-3 concentrations and aortic hemodynamics persisted with further adjustments for C-reactive protein concentrations (pulse wave velocity in all participants: partial <italic>r</italic>=0.14, <italic>P</italic><0.0001; reflective wave index in men: partial <italic>r</italic>=0.12, <italic>P</italic><0.05). In conclusion, despite a lack of independent association with brachial blood pressure, the profibrotic inflammatory substance galectin-3 may contribute toward adverse outcomes through an effect on aortic stiffness, an effect that cannot be attributed to general inflammatory changes.</p> </sec> </abstract>