Investigation of Galectin-3 and Glucagon-Like Peptide (9-36) Amide Levels in Patients Diagnosed with Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia
Tevfik Noyan1, Busenur Yağız1, Erdal Benli21Ordu University, Medical Faculty, Department of Biochemistry2Ordu University, Medical Faculty, Department of Urology
INTRODUCTION: Prostate-specific antigen (PSA) is a standard laboratory assay employed in the diagnosis of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). Nonetheless, alternative diagnostic biomarkers are under investigation. This study aimed to examine the possibility of blood levels of galectin-3 (Gal-3) and glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) (9-36) amide as alternative diagnostic indicators for BPH.
METHODS: A control group comprising 42 healthy individuals without complaints and 42 individuals diagnosed with BPH, aged over 40, exhibiting prostate-related lower urinary tract symptoms for a minimum of 6 months, an IPSS score exceeding 13, a peak urine flow rate of 4-15 ml/s, and a total PSA level below 3 ng/mL, was incorporated into the study as the patient cohort.
RESULTS: GGal-3 levels were markedly higher in the patient group than in the control group (median values 7.6 ng/dL vs. 5.17 ng/dL; p = 0.015). Nonetheless, GLP-1 levels did not differ significantly between the two groups (median values 15.96 pmol/L vs. 13.58 pmol/L; p = 0.424). Free PSA levels (f-PSA) and the f-PSA-to-total PSA (t-PSA) ratio (f-PSA/t-PSA) were significantly increased in the BPH group compared to the controls (p = 0.0001 and p = 0.002, respectively), while t-PSA levels did not differ significantly between the groups (p = 0.092).
DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: In summary, increased Gal-3 levels in BPH may significantly contribute to disease pathogenesis. This study is significant as it represents the first investigation into the importance of both parameters in patients diagnosed with benign prostatic hyperplasia.
Manuscript Language: English