The Role of Galectin-3 as a Biomarker of Osteoporosis and its Correlation with Bone Mineral Density

Noor Ulhuda G.  Mohammed; Rand Jalal Abd  Al-Ghanny; Refif Sabih  Al-Shawk; Baydaa Ahmed  Abed; Hussein Hatam Omran

doi:10.24996/ijs.2025.66.12.%g

Authors

Noor Ulhuda G. Mohammed Department of Chemistry, College of Science for Women, University of Baghdad, Baghdad, Iraqi https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3549-1578
Rand Jalal Abd Al-Ghanny Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research, Baghdad, Iraqi https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3549-1578
Refif Sabih Al-Shawk Microbiology Department College of Medicine Mustansiriyah University, Baghdad, Iraqi
Baydaa Ahmed Abed National Diabetes Center, Mustansiriyah Universit, Baghdad, Iraqi https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8895-7901
Hussein Hatam Omran Iraqi Ministry of Health

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.24996/ijs.2025.66.12.%25g

Keywords:

Galectin-3, osteoporosis, Bone mineral denisty, DXA, vitamin D3

Abstract

This study investigates the potential link between serum levels of Galectin-3 (Gal-3) and bone health in postmenopausal women with osteoporosis. As Gal-3 is known to be expressed in bone cells and may influence bone remodeling, we aim to quantify serum Gal-3 levels in this population and examine its correlation with bone mineral density (BMD). In cross-sectional study, 45 postmenopausal women with OP and 45 healthy control group (HS), aged between 43-50 years, were registered. Patients and HS were categorized based on T score on dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA). Serum levels of calcium (Ca), Vitamin D3, and Gal-3 were measured both groups. The concentration of serum Gal-3 concentration was significantly increased in OP patients compared to the HS at (P< 0.001). Additionally, serum Gal-3 levels was positively correlate with BMD of the lumber spine (L1-L4) levels T score (r= 0.689, P=0.0001). Depended on the receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC), the criterion value of the Gal-3 was >11.905 ng/ml. In this study, OP postmenopausal women showed an increase in Gal-3, which is positively correlated with BMD of T-score on DXA. These results suggest a diagnostic role of Gal-3 in OP patients as well as its role in monitoring disease severity. Furthermore, this study is the first to assess serum Gal-3 concentration in patients with OP.