الفهرس 
Introduction and RationaleOnly 14 pages are availabe for public view
 |  | from | 30 |  |  |
| | | from | 30 | | |
Abstract
Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is far more prevalent worldwide than was previously assumed. According to the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey and the National Kidney Foundation Kidney Disease report nearly 26 million persons in the USA fall into this category and another 20 millions are at an increased risk for CKD (National Kidney Foundation 2008).
Galectin-3 is a galactoside-binding protein that is expressed in many cell types and is found inside cells, extracellularly (but still cell surface-associated) and in the circulation (Liu and Rabinovich, 2005).
Normally, galectin-3 is found in small amounts within our bodies. But, higher than average levels of this molecule indicate the presence of a wide array of degenerative processes in the body, most notably cancer proliferation/ metastases, heart failure, chronic inflammation, fibrosis and related organ failure (Eliaz, 2013).
Over-expression of galectin-3 is also directly involved in a variety of processes associated with heart failure, including myofibroblast proliferation, inflammation and fibrogenesis, tissue repair, and ventricular and tissue remodeling. Elevated levels of galectin-3 in the blood have been found to be significantly associated with higher risk of death in acute decompensated heart failure as well as chronic heart failure populations (Eliaz, 2013).
Several serum surrogate markers of inflammation have been widely used in epidemiologic studies. Serum levels of positive acute phase reactants’, such as serum CRP or ferritin, are elevated during the acute phase of inflammation. Elevated serum CRP concentrations have been associated with increased cardiovascular disease risk (Park et al.,2003).