Expression and Influence of Galectin-3 on Missed Abortion

ObjectiveTo explore the influence of galectin-3 on missed abortion.MethodsForty cases of normal intrauterine early pregnancy were randomly divided into 2 groups: surgical abortion group (group A, n=20) and medical abortion group (group B, n=20). The third group was missed abortion group (group C, n=20) with the gestational age less than 13 weeks. Serum was isolated from the blood samples, collected and used for ELISA quantification of galectin-3. Villus and decidua tissues were collected from the abortus for immunohistochemical examination and real-time fluorescence relative quantitative PCR.ResultsThe level of galectin-3 in the serum was the lowest in missed abortion group (P<0.05). Immunohistochemistry showed that galectin-3 expression in villus of missed abortion group was significantly lower than that of surgical abortion group (P<0.01). Real-time fluorescence relative quantitative PCR showed that galectin-3 mRNA relative expression in villus of missed abortion group (2−ΔΔCt=0.04 ± 0.01) was significantly lower than that of surgical abortion group (2−ΔΔCt=1.00 ± 0.00). Galectin-3 mRNA relative expression in deciduas of medical abortion group (2−ΔΔCt=0.08 ± 0.02) was significantly lower than that of surgical abortion group (2−ΔΔCt=1.00 ± 0.00) (P<0.01).ConclusionGalectin-3 is related to the development of villus and decidua during early pregnancy. The decreased expression of galectin-3 may promote the occurrence of missed abortion.