Potential Hepatoprotective Role of Galectin-3 during HCV Infection in End-Stage Renal Disease Patients

Dis Markers. 2017:2017:6275987. doi: 10.1155/2017/6275987. Epub 2017 Apr 11.

Abstract

Hepatitis C virus infection (HCV), one of the greatest causes of liver disease, is a frequent complication in patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) on dialysis. ESRD is defined as decreased glomerular filtration and also accompanied by impaired function of the immune system. Galectin-3 is a β-galactoside-binding lectin, involved in various biological processes including pathogenesis of chronic renal disease. The aim of our study was to estimate disease severity in ESRD HCV+ patients and analyze the serum concentrations of IL-1β, IL-4, IL-23, and IL-6; anti-HCV antibodies; and galectin-3. Also, we attempted to determine potential correlation between galectin-3 level and parameters of disease severity ALT and AST. Our results showed decreased levels of ALT and AST (p = 0.00), demonstrating less liver destruction in ESRD HCV+ patients in comparison to HCV+ patients. Increased levels of IL-6 (p = 0.03) implicate a hepatoprotective role of IL-6 in these patients. Also, level of galectin-3 (p = 0.00) in the serum of ESRD HCV+ patients was higher than that of HCV+ patients. This alteration was accompanied with negative correlation between galectin-3 and AST and ALT, respectively (p = 0.029; p = 0.033). The presence of increased systemic levels of IL-6 and Gal-3 in ESRD HCV+ patients may be an attempt to counteract or limit ongoing proinflammatory processes and to downregulate chronic inflammation, suggesting the new aspects of HCV infection in ESRD patients.

MeSH terms

  • Biomarkers / blood
  • Case-Control Studies
  • Female
  • Galectin 3 / blood*
  • Hepatitis C / blood*
  • Hepatitis C / complications
  • Hepatitis C / pathology
  • Humans
  • Interleukins / blood
  • Kidney Failure, Chronic / blood*
  • Kidney Failure, Chronic / complications
  • Kidney Failure, Chronic / pathology
  • Liver / pathology
  • Liver / virology
  • Male
  • Middle Aged

Substances

  • Biomarkers
  • Galectin 3
  • Interleukins