Akademik Veri Yönetim Sistemi
EGYPTIAN RHEUMATOLOGY AND REHABILITATION, cilt.50, sa.1, ss.1-6, 2023 (ESCI)
Background and aims: Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is a chronic inflammatory disease that chiefly affects the sacroiliac
joints and the spine. Galectin-3, a chimera-type member of the galectin family, binds glycoconjugates containing
N-acetyllactosamine. Galectins play a role in regulation of embryogenesis, angiogenesis, neurogenesis, and immunity.
The aim of the present study was to evaluate the serum galectin-3 level and its possible association with disease activity
in AS patients. Forty five AS patients and 35 healthy controls enrolled in this study. All participants with a history
of hyperlipidemia, liver, renal, hematological, familial thyroid, neoplastic, autoimmune infectious diseases and using
anti-inflammatory drugs were excluded from the study. Serum galectin-3 levels concentration was measured using
a commercial chemiluminescent microparticle immunoassay. Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and C-reactive
protein (CRP) levels were measured. The Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index (BASDAI) and Ankylosing
Spondylitis Disease Activity Score–CRP (ASDAS-CRP) were used to evaluate disease activity in AS patients.
Results: Serum galectin-3 levels were significantly higher in AS patients compared to the control group (p = 0.04).
A correlation was determined between the serum galectin-3 levels and BASDAI and ASDAS-CRP scores in the AS
patients (r = 0.49, p < 0.001; r = 0.56, p < 0.001, respectively). In AS patients, serum galectin-3 levels were significantly
related with CRP levels but were not related with ESR (r = 0.57, p < 0.001; r = 0.25, p = 0.09, respectively).
Conclusions: The serum galectin-3 levels were higher in AS patients and were correlated with disease activity. This
study may be useful to reveal the role of galectin-3 in inflammation and to evaluate disease activity in AS patients.