Measurements of Serum Mac-2-Binding Protein Glycosylation Isomer and Shear Wave Velocity in Health Checkups Are Useful in Screening for Non-Alcoholic Steatohepatitis

Abstract

Liver-related mortality rates in patients with non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) increase with advancing liver fibrosis stage. The present study aimed to elucidate whether adding non-invasive liver fibrosis tests to a comprehensive health checkup system is useful for NASH screening. Both serum Mac-2-binding protein glycosylation isomer (M2BPGi) and point shear wave elastography (pSWE) using ultrasonography were performed for 483 health checkup subjects who consented to participate in this prospective study. Outcomes in positive subjects were surveyed 1 year later. Eighty-eight subjects (18%) showed positive results for at least one liver fibrosis test, with 63 subjects positive for pSWE, 33 subjects positive for M2BPGi, and 72 subjects showing no significant elevation of liver enzymes. The secondary consultation rate for positive subjects was 52% (46/88). However, as 15 of those 46 subjects visited a non-liver-specialist and could not undergo detailed examination, the secondary examination rate was only 35% (31/88). For the 31 subjects who received secondary examination, NASH was diagnosed in 14 subjects, other chronic liver disease (CLD) in 6 subjects, and no CLD in 11 subjects. Additional liver fibrosis tests using M2BPGi and pSWE appear useful in health checkups when screening for CLD, especially for NASH.

Evaluation of Mac-2 binding protein glycosylation isomer (M2BPGi) as a diagnostic marker for staging liver fibrosis: a meta-analysis

“…The repeated regeneration of these cells will lead to liver fibrosis ( Ueda et al, 2020 ). Patients with liver fibrosis often suffer from portal hypertension and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), which may increase their risk of mortality ( Tamai et al, 2021 ). Therefore, early identification and specific immunotherapy of patients with liver fibrosis or liver cirrhosis are critical, which may regress liver fibrosis and liver cirrhosis, thereby preventing progression and decompensation ( Mak et al, 2019 ).…”