Galectin-3 is able to differentiate dogs with myxomatous mitral valve disease from healthy control dogs

Abstract

OBJECTIVES Galectin-3 is a cardiac biomarker for heart failure in humans. However, it has not been investigated in dogs with naturally occurring heart disease. This study aimed to compare plasma galectin-3 concentration in healthy dogs and those with myxomatous mitral valve disease (MMVD) and explore the potential association of galectin-3 with other cardiac biomarkers, inflammatory cytokines, echocardiographic estimates, and dog characteristics. ANIMALS 10 healthy dogs and 30 dogs with MMVD were prospectively recruited. PROCEDURES In this case-control study, plasma galectin-3, inflammatory cytokines, echocardiographic estimates, and other cardiac biomarkers were measured, and dog characteristics were recorded. RESULTS Plasma galectin-3 concentration was significantly higher in dogs with MMVD (2.94 [interquartile range, 1.61 to 5.20] ng/mL) than in healthy controls (1.56 [0.69 to 1.84] ng/mL, P = .009). Logistic regression analysis revealed that galectin-3 concentration and age predicted the presence of MMVD (predictive accuracy = 90.0%, P