Galectin-3 as a novel biomarker in women with PCOS.

Purpose: This study aimed at evaluating galectin-3 levels as a novel metabolic biomarker in women with PCOS.

Methods: Ninety consecutive women with PCOS fulfilling the inclusion criteria were divided into two groups according to the presence of metabolic syndrome as MetS+ and MetS-. Clinical, hormonal, and metabolic parameters and galectin-3 levels were compared between the groups. Correlation analyses were performed between galectin-3 and clinical and metabolic parameters.

Results: Ninety PCOS subjects were enrolled in the study, 25 of which were diagnosed with MetS. Waist-to-hip ratio, systolic and diastolic blood pressures, triglyceride, HOMA-IR, FAI, FGS, and galectin-3 levels were significantly higher in the MetS+ group compared with the MetS- group (13.19 ± 5.63 vs 9.37 ± 3.99 ng/mL, respectively, p = 0.001). HDL cholesterol was significantly higher in the MetS- group than in the MetS+ one. Galectin-3 levels were found to be positively correlated with systolic blood pressure (r = 0.450, p < 0.01), diastolic blood pressure (r = 0.293, p < 0.01), and triglyceride levels (r = 0.218, p < 0.05) in women with PCOS.

Conclusions: Galectin-3 may be a promising novel biomarker in women with PCOS. Galectin-3 levels were significantly higher in the MetS+ group compared with the MetS- one and positively correlated with systolic, diastolic blood pressures and triglyceride levels in women with PCOS.