Background
Galectin-3 (Gal-3) is a pleiotropic glycan-binding protein shown to be involved in sepsis and acute kidney injury (AKI). However, its role has never been elucidated in sepsis-associated AKI (S-AKI). We aimed to explore Gal-3’s role and its potential utility as a therapeutic target in S-AKI.
Methods
In 57 patients admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) with sepsis, serum Gal-3 was examined as a predictor of ICU mortality and AKI. In a rat model of S-AKI induced by cecal ligation and puncture (CLP), 7-day mortality and serum Gal-3, IL-6, and creatinine were examined at baseline, 2, 8, and 24 hours (h) post-CLP. Two experimental groups received the Gal-3 inhibitor modified citrus pectin (P-MCP) at 400 mg/kg/day and 1200 mg/kg/day, while the control group received water only (n = 18 in each group).
Results
Among 57 patients, 27 developed AKI and 8 died in the ICU. Serum Gal-3 was an independent predictor of AKI (OR = 1.2 [95% CI 1.1-1.4], p = 0.01) and ICU mortality (OR = 1.4 [95% CI 1.1-2.2], p = 0.04) before and after controlling for age, AKI, and acute physiology and chronic health evaluation (APACHE II) score. In the CLP rat experiment, serum Gal-3 peaked earlier than Interleukin-6 (IL-6). Serum Gal-3 was significantly lower in both P-MCP-treated groups compared to control at 2 h post-CLP (400 mg: p = 0.003; 1200 mg: p = 0.002), and IL-6 was significantly lower in both P-MCP-treated groups at all time points with a maximum difference at 24 h post-CLP (400 mg: p = 0.015; 1200 mg: p = 0.02). In the Gal-3 inhibitor groups, 7-day mortality was significantly reduced from 61% in the control group to 28% (400 mg P-MCP: p = 0.03) and 22% (1200 mg P-MCP: p = 0.001). Rates of AKI per RIFLE criteria were significantly reduced from 89% in the control group to 44% in both P-MCP-treated groups (400mg: p = 0.007; 1200mg: p = 0.007).
Conclusions
This translational study demonstrates the importance of Gal-3 in the pathogenesis of S-AKI, and its potential utility as a therapeutic target.

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This is a list of supplementary files associated with this preprint. Click to download.
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Posted 07 Jan, 2021
On 18 Jan, 2021
Received 12 Jan, 2021
Received 10 Jan, 2021
On 01 Jan, 2021
On 01 Jan, 2021
On 29 Dec, 2020
On 29 Dec, 2020
Invitations sent on 29 Dec, 2020
On 29 Dec, 2020
On 27 Dec, 2020
Posted 07 Jan, 2021
On 18 Jan, 2021
Received 12 Jan, 2021
Received 10 Jan, 2021
On 01 Jan, 2021
On 01 Jan, 2021
On 29 Dec, 2020
On 29 Dec, 2020
Invitations sent on 29 Dec, 2020
On 29 Dec, 2020
On 27 Dec, 2020
Background
Galectin-3 (Gal-3) is a pleiotropic glycan-binding protein shown to be involved in sepsis and acute kidney injury (AKI). However, its role has never been elucidated in sepsis-associated AKI (S-AKI). We aimed to explore Gal-3’s role and its potential utility as a therapeutic target in S-AKI.
Methods
In 57 patients admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) with sepsis, serum Gal-3 was examined as a predictor of ICU mortality and AKI. In a rat model of S-AKI induced by cecal ligation and puncture (CLP), 7-day mortality and serum Gal-3, IL-6, and creatinine were examined at baseline, 2, 8, and 24 hours (h) post-CLP. Two experimental groups received the Gal-3 inhibitor modified citrus pectin (P-MCP) at 400 mg/kg/day and 1200 mg/kg/day, while the control group received water only (n = 18 in each group).
Results
Among 57 patients, 27 developed AKI and 8 died in the ICU. Serum Gal-3 was an independent predictor of AKI (OR = 1.2 [95% CI 1.1-1.4], p = 0.01) and ICU mortality (OR = 1.4 [95% CI 1.1-2.2], p = 0.04) before and after controlling for age, AKI, and acute physiology and chronic health evaluation (APACHE II) score. In the CLP rat experiment, serum Gal-3 peaked earlier than Interleukin-6 (IL-6). Serum Gal-3 was significantly lower in both P-MCP-treated groups compared to control at 2 h post-CLP (400 mg: p = 0.003; 1200 mg: p = 0.002), and IL-6 was significantly lower in both P-MCP-treated groups at all time points with a maximum difference at 24 h post-CLP (400 mg: p = 0.015; 1200 mg: p = 0.02). In the Gal-3 inhibitor groups, 7-day mortality was significantly reduced from 61% in the control group to 28% (400 mg P-MCP: p = 0.03) and 22% (1200 mg P-MCP: p = 0.001). Rates of AKI per RIFLE criteria were significantly reduced from 89% in the control group to 44% in both P-MCP-treated groups (400mg: p = 0.007; 1200mg: p = 0.007).
Conclusions
This translational study demonstrates the importance of Gal-3 in the pathogenesis of S-AKI, and its potential utility as a therapeutic target.

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8
This is a list of supplementary files associated with this preprint. Click to download.
Loading...