Furthermore, compared with healthy controls, circulating Galectin-3 was increased in Ab− FDRs (median 19.67 [IQR 15.61 to 26.23] versus 13.88 [IQR 10.84 to 17.34] ng/ml; P < 0.0001) and Ab+ FDRs (median 19.62 [IQR 16.12 to 22.89] versus 13.88 [IQR 10.84 to 17.34] ng/ml; P < 0.05), suggesting that augmented Galectin-3 production may occur before overt diabetes (Fig. 1A). Here, LGALS3 is linked to diabetes mellitus.