Galectin-3 (Gal-3) is a unique member of the lectin family involved in cell proliferation, adhesion, apoptosis and immune responses. Deletion of the Gal-3 gene reduces experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis and variation of gene encoding for Gal-3 already showed to be related with cognitive function. Also, elevated Gal-3 sera levels were measured in patients with Alzheimer's disease.

Aims and objectives We measured the serum concentrations of Gal-3 in patients with schizophrenia in remission and try to determine possible correlation of Gal-3 sera levels with clinical parameters, especially cognitive aspects.

In this pilot study were included patients with schizophrenia in remission on three months stable depot antipsychotic medication (risperidone and paliperidone) (n = 27) and healthy controls (n = 18). Serum levels of Gal-3 were measured using sensitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kits, specific for humans (R&D Systems, Minneapolis). Cognition was evaluated using the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) cognitive factors.

Higher mean values of Gal-3 were measured in patients with schizophrenia in remission compared with healthy volunteers (1389.69 vs. 994.23 pg/mL; P = 0.011), but correlation with PANSS cognitive factor was not established (P = 0.748).

These findings suggest that the role of Gal-3 should be explored further, in different stages of disorder and depending on applied therapy, but also considering specific cytokine milieu.

The authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.