Relationship between novel inflammatory biomarker galectin-3 and depression symptom severity in a large community-based sample.

Major depressive disorder is associated with pro-inflammatory markers, such as cytokines TNF-alpha, IL-6, IL-1ß, and C-reactive protein. Galectin-3 is a novel emerging biomarker with pro-inflammatory properties. It is a saccharide binding protein distributed throughout many tissues with varying functions and is a predictor of poor outcomes in patients with heart failure and stroke. However, its role as a predictor in depressive symptom severity remains undefined. Data from the community-based Dallas Heart Study (n = 2554) were examined using a multiple linear regression analysis to evaluate the relationship between galectin-3 and depressive symptom severity as assessed with Quick Inventory of Depressive Symptomatology Self-Report (QIDS-SR) scores. Additional covariates included age, sex, race/ethnicity, body mass index (BMI), years of education, serum creatinine, history of diabetes, and smoking history. Galectin-3 levels statistically significantly predicted QIDS-SR depressive symptom severity (ß = 0.055, p = .015). Female sex, smoking status, and BMI were found to be statistically significant positive predictors of depression severity, while age, years of education, non-Hispanic White race, and Hispanic ethnicity were negative predictors of depressive symptom severity. In this large sample, higher galectin-3 levels were associated with higher levels of depressive symptoms. The findings suggest that galectin-3 may be a new and useful inflammatory biomarker associated with depression.

Relationship between inflammatory biomarker galectin-3 and hippocampal volume in a community study.

Galectin-3 (Gal3) is expressed by microglia and performs functions including adhesion; activation of macrophages and fibroblasts, and mediates inflammatory responses in the hippocampus. The present study examined whether serum Gal3 levels predict hippocampal volume in a multi-ethnic, community-based sample. Results of a multiple linear regression (controlling for depression, serum creatinine level, age, BMI, total brain volume, MoCA score, sex, ethnicity, smoking status, history of diabetes) showed that Gal3 levels significantly predicted left (p = .027) but not right hippocampal volume. The relationship was stronger in men than women. Findings suggest this novel inflammatory biomarker is associated with human hippocampal volume.