galectin-۳ serum levels are independently associated with microalbuminuria in chronic heart failure outpatients

results among the patients enrolled, 61 had microalbuminuria (uacr, 30-299) and 133 normoalbuminuria (uacr, < 30). patients with normoalbuminuria showed significantly higher levels of gal-3 than those without (19.9 ± 8.8 vs. 14.6 ± 5.5 ng/ml). the stepwise regression analysis indicated that gal-3 was the first determinant of microalbuminuria (odds ratio [or]: 1.08; 95% confidence interval [ci]: 1.02 - 1.14, p = 0.012), followed by diabetes (or 2.14; 95% ci: 1.00 - 4.57; p = 0.049) and high central venous pressure (or 2.80; 95% ci: 1.04 - 7.58; p= 0.042). patients and methods we enrolled chf outpatients having stable clinical conditions and receiving conventional therapy. all patients underwent clinical evaluation, routine chemistry analysis, echocardiography, and evaluation of the urinary albumin/creatinine ratio (uacr). background galectin-3 (gal-3) is a novel biomarker reflecting inflammation status and fibrosis involving worsening of both cardiac and renal functions. objectives the aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between gal-3 serum levels and microalbuminuria in a group of chronic heart failure (chf) outpatients. conclusions our findings indicate an independent association between gal-3 levels and microalbuminuria, an early marker of altered renal function. this suggests the possible role of gal-3 in the progression of cardiorenal syndrome in chf outpatients.