Objective To explore the relationship of galectin-3 in patients with acute ischemic stroke and its and clinical significance. Methods 165 patients with acute ischemic stroke were chosen as patients group, and 100 healthy persons in healthy center without a history of stroke as control group. The levels of galectin-3 in both groups were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The size of infarct volume was calculated by cranial magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and the degree of neurological deficit was assessed according to the U.S. National institutes of health stroke scale (NIHSS scores). Results There was no statistically difference (t = 23.517, P <0.01) between serum levels in patient group (14.57 ± 3.35μg / L) and control group (5.18 ± 1.56μg / L). The galectin-3 level in patients was increased with the increasing of brain infarct volume (F=130.86 P＜0.01). The Spearman correlation analysis showed that the infarct volume was positively correlated with the serum level of galectin-3 (rs = 0.927, P<0.01). The serum level of galectin-3 was increased with the increasing of neurological deficit degree（F=126.53,P＜0.01). The degrees of neurological deficit were positively correlated with serum levels of galectin-3 (rs = 0.872, P <0.01). Conclusion The galectin-3 levels of patients with acute ischemic stroke are significantly increased and correlated with the volume of cerebral infarction and the degree of neurological deficits.