The role of circulating galectin-1 in Type 2 Diabetes and Chronic Kidney Disease: Evidence from cross-sectional, longitudinal and Mendelian randomisation analyses
Chronic Kidney Disease is a complication commonly observed in patients with long-standing diabetes. Over the decades, there has been an increasing interest in Galectin-1; a highly conserved carbohydrate-binding protein involved in cell growth, with anti-inflammatory effects as reported in several studies. In several studies, elevated Galectin-1 expression was reported in renal biopsy samples from individuals with diabetic kidney condition. Lena Strindberg and colleagues conducted a research titled “The role of circulating galectin-1 in Type 2 Diabetes and Chronic Kidney Disease: Evidence from cross-sectional, longitudinal and Mendelian randomisation analyses” and the summary has been given below.
Objective:
Galectin-1 may be a connecting factor between Obesity, Type 2 Diabetes and Kidney function. By using Malmö Diet and Cancer Study- Cardiovascular Cohort (MDCS-CC) the aim of the study was to investigate whether circulating Galectin-1 can predict the incidence of Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) and Type 2 Diabetes in a middle-aged population and if Mendelian randomisation (MR) can provide evidence for casual nature of such associations.
Methods:
4022 participants were involved in the study. Their eGFR was calculated at baseline and post a mean follow-up of 16 + 1.5 years. Their Diabetes levels were also ascertained. Cox regression was utlized to detect the associations of baseline galectin-1 with incident CKD and Type 2 Diabetes modifying accordingly for established risk factors.
Findings:
Circulating levels of Galectin-1 are strongly associated with markers of kidney function and is related to incidence of Type 2 Diabetes. Higher levels of circulating galectin-1 link with higher eGFR among those individuals having Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus and nephropathy.
Limitations:
The research has certain limitations. Galectin-1 was calculated at baseline and analysed after many years of initial sampling. Besides, the type of diabetes was not stated for 46 % of the MDCS-CC. The MDCS-CC was a single centre observational cohort study and the links reported need further authentication.
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