Serum galectin-3 level and related factors in newly-diagnosed diabetes

Objective To observe level of serum galectin-3(Gal-3)level in newly diagnosed diabetic patients and related factors. Methods A total of 60 newly diagnosed diabetic patients(newly diagnosed diabetic group)and 62 normal controls were enrolled. Fasting insulin, glycosylated hemoglobin, serum Gal-3, fasting C-peptide and fasting insulin were measured. The correlations between Gal-3 level and age as well as metabolism indexes of blood glucose were further analyzed. Results Serum Gal-3 level in the newly diagnosed diabetes group was significantly higher than that in the control group ［3.99(1.92, 6.06)ng/mL versus 3.38(1.92, 4.84)ng/mL, P<0.05］. Pearson correlation analysis showed that serum Gal-3 level was positively correlated with age fasting, blood glucose and glycosylated hemoglobin(P<0.05); multiple regression analysis showed that age and glycosylated hemoglobin were the influencing factors of Gal-3. Conclusion There was a correlation between serum Gal-3 expression level and metabolism indexes of blood glucose, suggesting potential value of Gal-3 in evaluation of glucose metabolism or diagnosis of diabetes mellitus.