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Galectin-3, a marker of cardiac remodeling, is inversely related to serum levels of marine omega-3 fatty acids. A cross-sectional study

K. Laake, I. Seljeflot, E. Schmidt, P. Myhre, A. Tveit, J. Norseth, H. Arnesen, S. Solheim

JRSM Cardiovascular Disease, 2017

299 participants · 7 citations

Abstract

Objective Marine polyunsaturated n-3 fatty acids (n-3 PUFA) may have cardioprotective effects and beneficial influence on the fibrotic process. We evaluated the associations between serum marine n-3 PUFA and selected biomarkers of fibrosis and cardiac remodeling in elderly patients with acute myocardial infarction. Setting From the ongoing OMega-3 fatty acids in Elderly patients with Myocardial Infarction (OMEMI) trial, 299 patients were investigated. Soluble ST2 (sST2), Galectin-3 (Gal-3) and the serum content of major marine n-3 and n-6 PUFA were analyzed 2–8 weeks after the index acute myocardial infarction. Results Gal-3 was inversely correlated to eicosapentaenoic acid (r = −.120, p = .039) and docosahexaenoic acid (r = −.125, p = .031) and positively correlated to the n-6/n-3 ratio (r = .131, p = .023). Gal-3 levels were significantly higher in diabetics vs non-diabetics (12.00 vs 9.61 ng/mL, p = .007) and in patients with NYHA class ≥III for dyspnea at inclusion (11.33 vs 9.75 ng/mL, p = .006). Conclusions The associations between the marine n-3 PUFA and levels of Gal-3 indicate beneficial effects of n-3 PUFA on cardiac remodeling in an elderly population with acute myocardial infarction.

How strong is the evidence?

Evidence Hub reads this as a cross-sectional, done in people. Its evidence level is 4 of 5 (Low · observational). Observational designs can show an association but not prove cause. Reported size: 299 participants or records.

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