The role of circulating galectin-1 in type 2 diabetes and chronic kidney disease: evidence from cross-sectional, longitudinal and Mendelian randomisation analyses - Diabetologia
Source : https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00125-021-05594-1
Aims/hypothesis Galectin-1 modulates inflammation and angiogenesis, and cross-sectional studies indicate that galectin-1 may be a uniting factor between obesity, type 2 diabetes and kidney function. We examined whether circulating galectin-1 can predict incidence of chronic kidney disease (CKD) and type 2 diabetes in a middle-aged population, and if Mendelian randomisation (MR) can provide evidence for causal direction of effects.
Conclusions/Interpretation: The role of circulating galectin-1 in type 2 diabetes and chronic kidney disease: evidence from cross-sectional, longitudinal and Mendelian randomisation analyses
• Source: Diabetologia
• Conclusion/Relevance: “Galectin-1 is strongly associated with lower kidney function in cross-sectional analyses, and two-sample MR [Mendelian randomization] analyses suggest a causal protective effect on kidney function among individuals with type 2 diabetes at high risk of diabetic nephropathy. Future studies are needed to explore the mechanisms by which galectin-1 affects kidney function and whether it could be a useful target among individuals with type 2 diabetes for renal improvement.”
• In this population-based study, researchers investigated whether circulating galectin-1 levels independently predicted chronic kidney disease and type 2 diabetes. They used-sample MR analyses to determine causation.
• The researchers found that circulating galectin-1 concentrations are strongly, cross-sectionally associated with biomarkers of kidney function and the incidence of type 2 diabetes during an 18.4 year follow-up. Furthermore, genetically elevated circulating levels of galectin-1 are related to higher estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) in those with type 2 diabetes at high risk for diabetic nephropathy.
• The authors noted that galectin-1 could be a target for lowering the risk of chronic kidney disease and diabetic nephropathy in those with type 2 diabetes.
• Galectin-1 plays a role in cell growth, cell migration, signaling, and anti-inflammatory actions. It is highly expressed in the vascular endothelium and subcutaneous fat cell.
• Limitations of the current study include the stability of Galectin-1, which was measured at baseline and analyzed years after the initial sampling. Furthermore, diabetes type was not specified for 46% of incident cases, with assumptions made based on age.