title: Galectin-3: A biochemical marker to detect paroxysmal atrial fibrillation?
abstract: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common form of arrhythmia. AF leads to electrical remodelling and fibrosis of the atria; however, the mechanism(s) remain poorly understood. Galectin-3 is a potential mediator of cardiac fibrosis. The present study aimed to examine the relationship between serum galectin-3 levels and paroxysmal AF.
  
  
  
  Forty-six patients with paroxysmal AF and preserved left ventricular systolic function, and 38 age- and gender-matched control subjects, were involved in the study. Serum galectin-3 levels were analyzed with an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).
  
  
  
  Serum galectin-3 levels (median 1.38 ng/mL; 1.21 ng/mL-1.87 ng/mL; p< 0.001) were significantly elevated in patients with paroxysmal AF compared with the control. Left atrial diameter was significantly higher in patients with paroxysmal AF (41.2±3.0 mm vs. 39.6±3.3 mm). Left atrial diameter was found to be significantly correlated with serum galectin-3 levels in patients with paroxysmal AF (r= 0.378, p= 0.001).
  
  
  
  Serum galectin-3 levels are significantly elevated and significantly correlated with left atrial diameter in patients with paroxysmal AF.
authors.affiliation: . yussel1971@hotmail.com.
authors.forename: Yusuf
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Selcoki
authors.forename: H İbrahim
authors.initials: Hİ
authors.lastname: Aydin
authors.forename: Tugrul H
authors.initials: TH
authors.lastname: Celik
authors.forename: Ahmet
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Isleyen
authors.forename: Ali
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Erayman
authors.forename: M Bora
authors.initials: MB
authors.lastname: Demircelik
authors.forename: Hilmi
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Demirin
authors.forename: Aydin
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kosus
authors.forename: Beyhan
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Eryonucu
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D001281:Atrial Fibrillation / Q000097:blood* / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D001798:Blood Proteins; D005260:Female; D037502:Galectin 3 / Q000097:blood*; D037161:Galectins; D006325:Heart Atria / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016276:Ventricular Function
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D001798:Blood Proteins; D037502:Galectin 3; D037161:Galectins; C428445:LGALS3 protein, human