Relationship between galectin-3 level and disease activity in ankylosing spondylitis patients

Background and aimsAnkylosing spondylitis (AS) is a chronic inflammatory disease that chiefly affects the sacroiliac joints and the spine. Galectin-3, a chimera-type member of the galectin family, binds glycoconjugates containing N-acetyllactosamine. Galectins play a role in regulation of embryogenesis, angiogenesis, neurogenesis, and immunity. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the serum galectin-3 level and its possible association with disease activity in AS patients. Forty five AS patients and 35 healthy controls enrolled in this study. All participants with a history of hyperlipidemia, liver, renal, hematological, familial thyroid, neoplastic, autoimmune infectious diseases and using anti-inflammatory drugs were excluded from the study. Serum galectin-3 levels concentration was measured using a commercial chemiluminescent microparticle immunoassay. Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and C-reactive protein (CRP) levels were measured. The Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index (BASDAI) and Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Score-CRP (ASDAS-CRP) were used to evaluate disease activity in AS patients.ResultsSerum galectin-3 levels were significantly higher in AS patients compared to the control group (p = 0.04). A correlation was determined between the serum galectin-3 levels and BASDAI and ASDAS-CRP scores in the AS patients (r = 0.49, p < 0.001; r = 0.56, p < 0.001, respectively). In AS patients, serum galectin-3 levels were significantly related with CRP levels but were not related with ESR (r = 0.57, p < 0.001; r = 0.25, p = 0.09, respectively).ConclusionsThe serum galectin-3 levels were higher in AS patients and were correlated with disease activity. This study may be useful to reveal the role of galectin-3 in inflammation and to evaluate disease activity in AS patients.