Serum galectin-3 and ?-1-acid glycoprotein levels in diagnosis and prognosis of idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss

Abstract

Idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss (ISSNHL) is an otological emergency in which etiopathogenesis remains unclear. A number of disorders is considered as the cause; therefore, different treatment modalities are used without certainty of a cure. The present study aimed to analyse the potential correlation between serum alpha-1-acid glycoprotein (AGP) and galectin-3 levels with ISSNHL, and to investigate markers for guidance of treatment. A total of 55 patients with ISSNHL [29 (52.7%) female, 26 male, mean age, 46.76 +/- 17.68 years] and 47 healthy volunteers [25 (53.2%) female, 21 male, mean age, 43.95 +/- 12.96 years) were included in the study. The complete blood count, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, C-reactive protein, serum galectin-3 and AGP levels were evaluated. The audiological investigation included pure tone average and speech discrimination scores were also recorded before and after corticosteroid treatment. Serum AGP levels in the study group vs. the control group were 64.08 +/- 25.10 and 67.01 +/- 21.59 mg/dl (P=0.53), respectively. Galectin-3 levels were 16.80 +/- 4.55 in the study group and 15.15 +/- 3.74 ng/ml in the control group (P=0.05). Serum galectin-3 levels were significantly correlated with unresponsiveness to treatment (P < 0.001). Galectin-3 is an important biomarker for patients with ISSNHL. Patients with high serum galectin-3 levels may be unresponsive to standard therapy.