We use cookies to understand how you use our site and to improve your experience. This includes personalizing content and advertising. To learn more, click here. By continuing to use our site, you accept our use of cookies. Cookie Policy.

LabMedica

Download Mobile App
Recent News Expo Medica 2024 Clinical Chem. Molecular Diagnostics Hematology Immunology Microbiology Pathology Technology Industry Focus

Serum Thrombospondin-2 Levels Associated with MAFLD Severity

By LabMedica International staff writers
Posted on 31 May 2022

Metabolic associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD), previously termed non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), has emerged as the most common cause of liver disease globally. With the expanding epidemic of obesity worldwide, MAFLD is becoming an increasingly burdensome condition, both clinically and economically.

Thrombospondins are a family of multidomain and secretory glycoproteins. Among them, thrombospondin 2 (TSP2) encoded by the TSP2 gene has been reported to be involved in various functions such as collagen/fibrin formation, maintenance of normal blood vessel density and cell adhesion properties.


Image: Histopathology of metabolic associated fatty liver disease: serum thrombospondin-2 levels are associated with its severity (Photo courtesy of Endocrinology Advisor)
Image: Histopathology of metabolic associated fatty liver disease: serum thrombospondin-2 levels are associated with its severity (Photo courtesy of Endocrinology Advisor)

A large team of medical scientists from The University of Hong Kong (Hong Kong, China) and their colleagues investigated the associations of serum thrombospondin-2 (TSP2) with obesity-related metabolic syndrome (MetS) and MAFLD severity, and the potential diagnostic value of serum TSP2 for identifying at-risk metabolic associated steatohepatitis (at-risk MASH).

The team collected blood samples, clinical data, and liver biopsies from consecutively recruited 252 individuals with morbid obesity receiving bariatric surgery. Histopathologies of liver biopsies were examined in a blinded fashion by three independent pathologists. Serum TSP2 levels were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).

The scientists reported that serum TSP2 levels were significantly elevated in MetS (1.58 [1.07-2.20] ng/mL) compared with non-MetS (1.28 [0.84-1.73] ng/mL) in obese patients and positively correlated with increasing number of the MetS components, fasting glucose, HbA1c, fasting insulin, C-peptide, HOMA-IR after adjustment of conventional confounders.

Serum TSP2 levels differentiated MASH (1.74 [1.32-3.09] ng/mL) from the other non-MASH less severe groups normal liver (1.41 [1.04-1.63] ng/mL), simple steatosis (1.45 [0.89-1.92] ng/mL) and borderline MASH (1.30 [0.99-2.17] ng/mL). Elevated serum TSP2 was positively associated with the severity of hepatic steatosis, inflammation, fibrosis, and abnormal liver function independent of age, sex and adiposity. Furthermore, high serum TSP2 identified at-risk MASH with AUC of 0.84.

The authors concluded that serum TSP2 is closely associated with severity and progression of MetS and MAFLD, and is a promising noninvasive biomarker for differentiating MASH from benign steatosis and identifying at-risk MASH patients among individuals with obesity. The study was published on May 9, 2022 in The Journal Of Clinical Endocrinology And Metabolism.

Related Links:
The University of Hong Kong 


Gold Member
Antipsychotic TDM Assays
Saladax Antipsychotic Assays
Antipsychotic TDM AssaysSaladax Antipsychotic Assays
New
Thyroxine ELISA
T4 ELISA
New
Toxoplasma Gondii Test
Toxo IgG ELISA Kit

Latest Pathology News

New Barcode Technology to Help Diagnose Cancer More Precisely

Mapping of Atherosclerotic Plaque Cells Predicts Future Risk of Stroke or Heart Attack

AI Analysis of Immune Cells Predicts Breast Cancer Prognosis