Galectin-3 and prediction of therapeutic response to renal sympathetic denervation

• Published in: Clinical and experimental hypertension (1993) Vol. 38; no. 4; pp. 399 - 403
• Main Authors: Schwerg, Marius, Eilers, Björn, Wienecke, Anja, Baumann, Gert, Laule, Michael, Knebel, Fabian, Stangl, Karl, Stangl, Verena
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Taylor & Francis 18.05.2016
• Subjects: Aged; Blood Pressure Monitoring, Ambulatory - methods; Female; Galectin 3 - analysis; Galectin 3 - metabolism; Galectin-3; Humans; Hypertension - diagnosis; Hypertension - metabolism; Hypertension - physiopathology; Hypertension - surgery; Kidney - innervation; Male; Middle Aged; Postoperative Complications - diagnosis; Predictive Value of Tests; Prognosis; Recurrence; renal denervation; resistant arterial hypertension; Sympathectomy - adverse effects; Sympathectomy - methods; Treatment Outcome; renal denervation; resistant arterial hypertension; Galectin-3
• ISSN: 1064-1963; 1525-6006
• DOI: 10.3109/10641963.2016.1148157

The profibrotic mediator Galectin-3 (Gal-3) has been associated with aldosterone-mediated vascular inflammation, fibrosis, and stiffness. We evaluated whether the Gal-3 levels and change in Gal-3 as associated with renal denervation can serve as prediction of therapeutic response to renal denervation. A total of 42 patients with resistant hypertension undergoing renal sympathetic denervation (RDN) were included. Blood pressure was evaluated by 24-h ambulatory measurement before RDN and 1, 3 and 6 months after RDN. Treatment response was defined as a drop in systolic ambulatory blood pressure of >5 mm Hg after 6 months. Blood samples were assessed for Gal-3 levels. For the entire group, a significant drop in mean systolic ambulatory blood pressure of 5.2 ± 18.6 mm Hg was observed (p = 0.032). The responder rate was 50% (n = 21). At baseline, Gal-3 levels were significantly higher in responders (14.5 ± 6.0 vs. 10.95 ± 4.6 ng/ml, p = 0.017). There were no significant changes of Gal-3 levels during the follow-up period. The profibrotic biomarker may help to identify patients suitable for RDN.