Elevated serum galectin-1 concentrations are associated with increased risks of mortality and acute kidney injury in critically ill patients

Galectin-1 (Gal-1), a member of the β-galactoside binding protein family, is associated with inflammation and chronic kidney disease. However, the effect of Gal-1 on mortality and acute kidney injury (AKI) in critically-ill patients remain unclear.

Serum Gal-1 elevation at the time of ICU admission were associated with an increased risk of mortality at 90 days, and an increased incidence of AKI within 48 h after ICU admission.

From May 2018 to March 2020, 350 patients admitted to the medical intensive care unit (ICU) of Taipei Veterans General Hospital, a tertiary medical center, were enrolled in this study. Forty-one patients receiving long-term renal replacement therapy were excluded. Serum Gal-1 levels were determined within 24 h of ICU admission. The patients were divided into tertiles according to their serum Gal-1 levels (low, serum Gal-1 < 39 ng/ml; median, 39-70 ng/ml; high, ≥71 ng/ml). All patients were followed for 90 days or until death.

Mortality in the ICU and at 90 days was greater among patients with elevated serum Gal-1 levels. In analyses adjusted for the body mass index, malignancy, sepsis, Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) score, and serum lactate level, the serum Gal-1 level remained an independent predictor of 90-day mortality [median vs. low: adjusted hazard ratio (aHR) 2.11, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.24-3.60, p = 0.006; high vs. low: aHR 3.21, 95% CI 1.90-5.42, p < 0.001]. Higher serum Gal-1 levels were also associated with a higher incidence of AKI within 48 h after ICU admission, independent of the SOFA score and renal function (median vs. low: aHR 2.77, 95% CI 1.21-6.34, p = 0.016; high vs. low: aHR 2.88, 95% CI 1.20-6.88, p = 0.017). The results were consistent among different subgroups with high and low Gal-1 levels.