Galectin-3 Blood Test

A Galectin-3 Test may be ordered for the identification of individuals with chronic heart failure at elevated risk of disease progression.

Description

Galectin-3 is one of the most widely studied galectins, a family of soluble B-galactoside-binding lectins that play a regulatoryrole in inflammation1. Galectin-3 affects the synthesis of matrixcompounds, such as type I collagen2. When the cardiac tissue is injured, macrophages infiltrate the tissue and secrete galectin-3, which promotes collagen synthesis and ultimately leads to cardiac fibrosis. . Galectin-3 is independent of, and complementary to, natriuretic peptides as they identify separate and distinct biological processes. Galectin-3 is a mediator of cardiac fibrosis and adverse cardiac remodeling, whereas natriuretic peptides such as NT-proBNP or BNP identify myocardial stretch.