ArticleClinical rheumatology2023
Circulating levels of galectin-3 and coronary microvascular perfusion in rheumatoid arthritis patients with suppressed inflammation.
Article in Clinical rheumatology, 2023. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 7 papers, 1 of them a synthesis that pooled it.
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Who cites it
7 citing papers in PubMed, 1 synthesis or guideline pooled it, 7 citations in OpenAlex.
- Sodium and potassium intake in rheumatoid arthritis: a systematic review of clinical studies with implications for disease-related outcomes.Rheumatology international · 2026Pooled it
- Asymmetric dimethylarginine and vascular injury in rheumatoid arthritis, from capillaries to large vessels: results from a cross-sectional study.Clinical rheumatology · 2026Article
- Article
- Effects of treatment with janus kinase inhibitors on coronary microvascular perfusion in patients with rheumatoid arthritis: an observational prospective cohort study.Rheumatology international · 2025Observational
- New Cardiovascular Risk Biomarkers in Rheumatoid Arthritis: Implications and Clinical Utility-A Narrative Review.Biomedicines · 2025Review
- Accumulation of Microvascular Target Organ Damage in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Patients Is Associated with Increased Cardiovascular Risk.Journal of clinical medicine · 2024Article
- Pectin: Health-promoting properties as a natural galectin-3 inhibitor.Glycoconjugate journal · 2024Review
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Authors and funding
9 authors at 1 institution in 1 country.
Funding
Abstract
objectiveCardiovascular manifestations are the leading cause of mortality in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Galectin-3, a lectin protein with major role in cellular, inflammatory, and fibrotic processes, has been introduced as a novel cardiac biomarker. We hypothesized that patients with RA present increased levels of galectin-3, and investigated potential associations with arterial stiffness and coronary microvascular dysfunction.
methodsThis cross-sectional study enrolled RA patients and non-RA individuals without cardiovascular comorbidities. Galectin-3 and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) were measured with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) in serum samples. Subendocardial viability ratio (SEVR), an index of microvascular myocardial perfusion, and pulse wave velocity (PWV), the gold-standard measure of vascular stiffness, were estimated with applanation tonometry.
resultsCardiovascular risk factors and hsCRP were comparable between patients (n = 24) and controls (n = 24). However, galectin-3 was increased [6.9 (6.7) vs 4.6 (4.7)] ng/dl, p = 0.015], and coronary microvascular perfusion was decreased (142.6 ± 22.8 vs 159.7 ± 23.2%, p = 0.028) in RA patients compared to controls, whereas PWV did not significantly differ. Galectin-3 correlated with both PWV and SEVR in univariate analysis. However, after adjustment for cardiovascular risk factors and subclinical inflammation, these associations were rendered non-significant.
conclusionGalectin-3 appears increased in RA, even among patients with suppressed inflammation in the absence of cardiovascular comorbidities. The observed association of galectin-3 with coronary microvascular perfusion in our study was non-significant after adjustment for cardiovascular risk factors and inflammation. The potential role of galectin-3 as a cardiac biomarker in RA warrants further investigation. Key Points • Galectin-3 has emerged as a novel cardiac biomarker but remains understudied in RA. • Patients with RA present elevated levels of galectin-3 and impaired coronary microvascular perfusion compared to non-RA individuals. • These differences were observed in patients with suppressed inflammation, even in the absence of CVD. • The association of galectin-3 with coronary microvascular impairment in RA warrants further investigation.
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