Thailand Doctors Identify Promising Biomarker for Liver Fibrosis in Obese and Non-Obese Patients
Nikhil Prasad Fact checked by:Thailand Medical News Team Feb 15, 2025 1 month, 2 days, 20 hours, 23 minutes ago
Thailand Doctors: A New Breakthrough in Liver Disease Diagnosis
Thailand’s medical community has made a significant breakthrough in the diagnosis of liver fibrosis among patients with metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD). A team of researchers from Chulalongkorn University and Rajavithi Hospital has found that a blood test measuring a specific biomarker - serum Mac-2-binding protein glycosylation isomer (M2BPGi) - can accurately assess liver fibrosis, providing a less invasive and reliable alternative to traditional methods.
Thailand Doctors Identify Promising Biomarker for Liver Fibrosis in Obese and Non-Obese Patients
Mac-2 binding protein glycosylation isomer (M2BPGi) is a glycoprotein that is produced by hepatic stellate cells (HSCs). It functions as a messenger between HSCs and Kupffer cells to promote fibrogenesis. M2BPGi is produced in the extracellular matrix and serves as an indicator of hepatic stellate cell activation. Assessing M2BPGi levels can also aid in predicting hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in individuals with hepatitis C virus (HCV).
This news report highlights how this discovery could transform the way doctors diagnose and manage MASLD, a disease affecting millions worldwide. The study, conducted by leading
Thailand Doctors at King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital, evaluated the accuracy of M2BPGi as a fibrosis biomarker in both obese and non-obese individuals, comparing it with existing diagnostic tools such as vibration-controlled transient elastography (VCTE) and other commonly used fibrosis tests.
Understanding MASLD and Liver Fibrosis
MASLD, previously known as non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), is a condition where excessive fat accumulates in the liver due to metabolic dysfunction rather than alcohol consumption. The disease can progress to severe stages, including fibrosis (scarring), cirrhosis, and even liver cancer.
Currently, liver biopsy is considered the gold standard for diagnosing liver fibrosis. However, this procedure is invasive, painful, and carries risks. To address this, non-invasive tests such as imaging techniques and blood-based biomarkers are being developed. Among these, M2BPGi has emerged as a promising alternative that can detect fibrosis with high accuracy.
Key Findings from the Study
The study enrolled 205 Thai patients diagnosed with MASLD, categorized into obese and non-obese groups based on body mass index (BMI). The researchers measured M2BPGi levels in their blood and compared the results with magnetic resonance elastography (MRE), which is currently the most reliable non-invasive imaging test for fibrosis detection.
The findings showed that M2BPGi levels increased significantly with the severity of fibrosis. The biomarker demonstrated a strong ability to differentiate between mild (F0 - F1) and significant (F2 - F4) liver fibrosis. The study found that M2BPGi had an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUROC) of 0.85 for detecting significant fibrosis, 0.91 for a
dvanced fibrosis, and 0.93 for cirrhosis—indicating high diagnostic accuracy.
Moreover, M2BPGi outperformed traditional fibrosis assessment models such as FIB-4, APRI, and NFS, particularly in obese patients. These conventional tests tend to be less reliable in individuals with higher BMI, whereas M2BPGi maintained consistent accuracy across different weight categories.
How M2BPGi Compares to Other Tests
VCTE, a commonly used imaging method for liver stiffness measurement, showed the highest AUROC (0.95) for identifying fibrosis. However, its accuracy declines in obese patients, making M2BPGi a more effective alternative for these individuals. In addition, the study found that genetic factors played a role in fibrosis severity. Patients with the PNPLA3 GG genotype exhibited significantly higher M2BPGi levels than those with the CC/CG genotypes, suggesting a genetic influence on fibrosis progression.
Implications for Medical Practice
This research highlights the potential of M2BPGi as a simple, non-invasive, and highly effective blood test for assessing liver fibrosis in MASLD patients. The findings suggest that M2BPGi could be particularly beneficial in settings where imaging tests like MRE or VCTE are not readily available. Given its consistency across different BMI categories, M2BPGi could be a game-changer in diagnosing fibrosis among obese individuals, a population at higher risk for severe liver disease.
Conclusion
The study conducted by Thailand’s leading researchers demonstrates that M2BPGi is a reliable biomarker for assessing liver fibrosis in both obese and non-obese MASLD patients. Unlike traditional fibrosis assessment methods, M2BPGi remains accurate regardless of BMI, making it a promising tool for widespread clinical use. With its ability to provide accurate results through a simple blood test, this biomarker could significantly improve early detection and management of liver fibrosis, ultimately reducing the burden of liver disease worldwide.
The study findings were published in the peer reviewed journal: Biomedicines.
https://www.mdpi.com/2227-9059/13/2/415
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