Serum Galectin-3 and Mucin-1 (CA15-3) in Relation to Renal Function in Untreated Chinese Patients

Background Galectin-3 is a multi-functional lectin protein and a ligand of mucin-1 (CA15-3), and has been linked to renal fibrosis in animal models and renal function in humans. However, no population study has ever explored the associations with both ligand and receptor. We therefore investigate the independent association of renal function with serum galectin-3 and mucin-1 (CA15-3) in untreated Chinese patients. METHODS The study participants were outpatients who were suspected of hypertension, but had not been treated with antihypertensive medication. Serum galectin-3 and mucin-1 (CA15-3) concentrations were both measured by the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) method. Estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) was calculated from serum creatinine by the use of the Chronic Kidney Disease Epidemiology Collaboration (CKD-EPI) equation. Results The 1,789 participants included 848 (47.4%) men. Mean (+/- SD) age was 51.3 +/- 10.7 years. Multiple regression analyses showed that eGFR was significantly associated with serum galectin-3 and mucin-1 (CA15-3) concentration (0.68 and 1.32 ml/min/1.73 m(2) decrease per 1-SD increase in log transformed serum galectin-3 and mucin-1 (CA15-3) concentration, respectively; P <= 0.006). The association of eGFR with serum mucin-1 (CA15-3) concentration was significantly stronger in the overweight (BMI 24.0-27.9 kg/m(2)) and obese (BMI >= 28.0 kg/m(2)) than in normal weight subjects (BMI < 24.0 kg/m(2), P for interaction 0.018). Path analysis showed that serum galectin-3 concentration had both a direct (P = 0.016) and a mucin-1 mediated indirect effect (P = 0.014) on eGFR. Conclusions Both circulating galectin-3 and mucin-1 (CA15-3) were significantly associated with renal function. The role of galectin-3 on renal function might be partially via mucin-1.

Automated summary

This study investigated the independent association between serum galectin-3 and mucin-1 (CA15-3) and renal function in untreated Chinese patients with suspected hypertension. The results showed that both galectin-3 and mucin-1 (CA15-3) concentrations were significantly associated with eGFR. Additionally, the association between mucin-1 (CA15-3) concentration and eGFR was stronger in overweight and obese subjects. Serum galectin-3 might affect renal function partially through mucin-1.