Dataset Information

Galectin-3 Is Associated with Restrictive Lung Disease and Interstitial Lung Abnormalities.

ABSTRACT:

Rationale

Galectin-3 (Gal-3) has been implicated in the development of pulmonary fibrosis in experimental studies, and Gal-3 levels have been found to be elevated in small studies of human pulmonary fibrosis.

Objectives

We sought to study whether circulating Gal-3 concentrations are elevated early in the course of pulmonary fibrosis.

Methods

We examined 2,596 Framingham Heart Study participants (mean age, 57 yr; 54% women; 14% current smokers) who underwent Gal-3 assessment using plasma samples and pulmonary function testing between 1995 and 1998. Of this sample, 1,148 underwent subsequent volumetric chest computed tomography.