title: Independent associations of circulating galectin-3 concentrations with aortic pulse wave velocity and wave reflection in a community sample.
abstract: 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 (P=0.88-0.92) or diastolic (P=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 r=0.15, P<0.0001) and reflective wave index in men (partial r=0.13, P<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, P<0.0001) and reflective wave index in men (partial r=0.15, P<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 r=0.14, P<0.0001; reflective wave index in men: partial r=0.12, P<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.
authors.affiliation: From the Cardiovascular Pathophysiology and Genomics Research Unit, Schools of Medicine (E.L.) and Physiology (A.J.W., A.R., M.G., M.J.M., P.S., G.R.N.), Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa.
authors.forename: Elena
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Libhaber
authors.affiliation: From the Cardiovascular Pathophysiology and Genomics Research Unit, Schools of Medicine (E.L.) and Physiology (A.J.W., A.R., M.G., M.J.M., P.S., G.R.N.), Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa. angela.woodiwiss@wits.ac.za.
authors.forename: Angela J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Woodiwiss
authors.affiliation: From the Cardiovascular Pathophysiology and Genomics Research Unit, Schools of Medicine (E.L.) and Physiology (A.J.W., A.R., M.G., M.J.M., P.S., G.R.N.), Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa.
authors.forename: Andrew
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Raymond
authors.affiliation: From the Cardiovascular Pathophysiology and Genomics Research Unit, Schools of Medicine (E.L.) and Physiology (A.J.W., A.R., M.G., M.J.M., P.S., G.R.N.), Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa.
authors.forename: Monica
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Gomes
authors.affiliation: From the Cardiovascular Pathophysiology and Genomics Research Unit, Schools of Medicine (E.L.) and Physiology (A.J.W., A.R., M.G., M.J.M., P.S., G.R.N.), Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa.
authors.forename: Muzi J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Maseko
authors.affiliation: From the Cardiovascular Pathophysiology and Genomics Research Unit, Schools of Medicine (E.L.) and Physiology (A.J.W., A.R., M.G., M.J.M., P.S., G.R.N.), Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa.
authors.forename: Pinhas
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Sareli
authors.affiliation: From the Cardiovascular Pathophysiology and Genomics Research Unit, Schools of Medicine (E.L.) and Physiology (A.J.W., A.R., M.G., M.J.M., P.S., G.R.N.), Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa.
authors.forename: Gavin R
authors.initials: GR
authors.lastname: Norton
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D001011:Aorta / Q000503:physiopathology; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000378:metabolism; D001795:Blood Pressure Determination / Q000379:methods; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D037502:Galectin 3 / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011673:Pulsatile Flow / Q000502:physiology*; D063177:Pulse Wave Analysis / Q000379:methods; D012111:Residence Characteristics; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012494:Sampling Studies; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D012737:Sex Factors; D059289:Vascular Stiffness
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D037502:Galectin 3; D002097:C-Reactive Protein
keywords: aortic stiffness; blood pressure; galectin-3