Proposal of a predictive model for advanced fibrosis containing Wisteria floribunda agglutinin-positive Mac-2-binding protein in chronic hepatitis C

[Non-Invasive Test for Assessment of Liver Fibrosis in Chronic Hepatitis B]

Chronic hepatitis B (CHB) is a high-risk condition that requires continuous monitoring and appropriate management during the natural course of the disease. In particular, the assessment of liver fibrosis is crucial for determining the optimal timing of antiviral therapy, evaluating the treatment response, and predicting the occurrence and prognosis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in the management of CHB. Although a liver biopsy is the gold standard for diagnosing liver inflammation, steatosis, and fibrosis, there has been a growing trend in the use of non-invasive tests, such as serum biomarkers, transient elastography, and shear wave elastography in CHB patients. This review provides a summary of the key research findings on the use of serum biomarkers and transient elastography in assessing liver fibrosis, monitoring the disease progression, and predicting the prognosis of CHB patients, with an emphasis on their clinical applicability.

Clinical usefulness of Mac-2 binding protein glycosylation isomer for diagnosing liver cirrhosis and significant fibrosis in patients with chronic liver disease: A retrospective single-center study

Accurate diagnosis of liver cirrhosis (LC) and significant fibrosis in patients with chronic liver disease (CLD) is important. The Mac-2 binding protein glycosylation isomer (M2BPGi) has emerged as a novel serum biomarker for liver fibrosis; however, insufficient clinical data of M2BPGi are available in patients with CLD. Therefore, we performed a retrospective cohort study to investigate the clinical usefulness of serum M2BPGi for assessing LC and significant fibrosis in CLD patients. We retrospectively reviewed the CLD patients with measured serum M2BPGi at Kosin University Gospel Hospital between January 2016 and December 2019. Multivariate logistic regression analyses were conducted to identify the independent factors associated with LC. The diagnostic power of serum M2BPGi for LC and significant fibrosis (≥F2) was evaluated and compared to that of other serum biomarkers using receiver operating characteristic curve and area under the curve (AUC). A total of 454 patients enrolled in this study. M2BPGi (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 1.77; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.52-2.07) and fibrosis index based on four factors (aOR, 1.23; 95% CI, 1.11-1.37) were identified as significant independent factors for LC. The AUC of M2BPGi for LC (0.866) and significant fibrosis (0.816) were comparable to those of fibrosis index based on four factors (0.860, 0.773), aspartate aminotransferase-to-platelet ratio index (0.806, 0.752), and gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase-to-platelet ratio (0.759, 0.710). The optimal cut-off values for M2BPGi for LC and significant fibrosis were 1.37 and 0.89, respectively. Serum M2BPGi levels were significantly correlated with liver stiffness measurements (ρ = 0.778). Serum M2BPGi is a reliable noninvasive method for the assessment of LC and significant fibrosis in patients with CLD.

Comparison of serum fibrosis biomarkers for diagnosing significant liver fibrosis in patients with chronic hepatitis B

Chronic hepatitis B (CHB) virus continues to be a leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. The diagnosis of liver fibrosis has a key role in selecting patients with CHB for antiviral treatment. However, serum biomarkers demonstrate limited diagnostic utility. The present study aimed to compare the performances of fibrosis biomarkers for diagnosing significant liver fibrosis that indicates the need for antiviral therapy in patients with CHB and to identify the most appropriate biomarker for these patients. The current study included 96 antiviral-naïve patients with CHB who underwent liver biopsy. METAVIR scoring system was used to assess liver fibrosis and necroinflammation. The diagnostic performances were evaluated of the platelet (PLT) count; the levels of hyaluronan, serum 7S domain of type 4 collagen, procollagen type III N-terminal peptide, tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases 1, Mac-2 binding protein glycosylation isomer (M2BPGi) and N-terminal type III collagen propeptide (Pro-C3); the fibrosis index based on four factors; the aspartate aminotransferase-to-platelet ratio index; and enhanced liver fibrosis score for identifying significant liver fibrosis [≥fibrosis stage 2 (F2)]. All fibrosis biomarkers, except the Pro-C3 level, correlated with the fibrosis stage. M2BPGi was better than other biomarkers for diagnosing ≥F2, with the highest area under the curve of 0.902. M2BPGi demonstrated a higher diagnostic accuracy for significant fibrosis than mild/severe fibrosis or cirrhosis. However, no significant correlation was observed between the M2BPGi level and fibrosis stage in patients with CHB having significant liver necroinflammation defined as ≥ necroinflammatory activity 2. The M2BPGi level and PLT count were exclusively correlated with the fibrosis stage in 73 patients without significant liver necroinflammation. M2BPGi demonstrated the highest diagnostic performance for significant fibrosis in patients having significant liver fibrosis with no significant liver necroinflammation. In conclusion, the M2BPGi level can accurately diagnose significant liver fibrosis that indicates the need for antiviral therapy in patients with CHB.

Wisteria floribunda agglutinin-positive Mac-2-binding protein as a diagnostic biomarker in liver cirrhosis: an updated meta-analysis

Wisteria floribunda agglutinin-positive Mac-2-binding protein (WFA+-M2BP) had been suggested as a possible glycobiomarker for assessing liver fibrosis. Here, we conducted this updated meta-analysis to systematically investigate the predictive accuracy of WFA+-M2BP for diagnosing liver fibrosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) by comparing with multiple non-invasive indicators. We searched relevant literatures from Pubmed, Web of Science, EMBASE and Cochrane Library and enrolled 36 eligible studies involving 7,362 patients. Summary results were calculated using bivariate random effects model. The pooled sensitivities, specificities and areas under the summary receiver operating characteristic curves (AUSROCs) of WFA+-M2BP for identifying mild fibrosis, significant fibrosis, advanced fibrosis, cirrhosis, and HCC were 0.70/0.68/0.75, 0.71/0.75/0.79, 0.75/0.76/0.82, 0.77/0.86/0.88, and 0.77/0.80/0.85, respectively. The accuracy of WFA+-M2BP was strongly affected by etiology and it was not better than other non-invasive indicators for predicting early fibrosis. It showed similar diagnostic performance to hyaluronic acid and FibroScan for cirrhosis, but was equivalent to α-fetoprotein for HCC. In conclusion, WFA+-M2BP was suitable to diagnose late stage of liver fibrosis, especially cirrhosis. Individual cutoff value of WFA+-M2BP could be used to grade liver fibrosis in different etiology. Combined diagnostic model was suggested to improve its predictive accuracy for HCC.

Sequential Combination of FIB-4 Followed by M2BPGi Enhanced Diagnostic Performance for Advanced Hepatic Fibrosis in an Average Risk Population

The fibrosis-4 (FIB-4) index is the most widely used estimated formula to screen for advanced hepatic fibrosis; however, it has a considerable intermediate zone. Here, we propose an algorithm to reduce the intermediate zone and improve the diagnostic performance of screening for advanced liver fibrosis by incorporating Mac-2-binding protein glycan isomer (M2BPGi) into a FIB-4 based screening strategy in an average risk group. Four-hundred eighty-eight healthy and chronic liver disease subjects were analyzed using a 1:1 propensity score matched for age and sex. Advanced liver fibrosis (≥F3) was defined by magnetic resonance elastography (MRE, ≥3.6 kPa). Classification tree analysis was employed to improve diagnostic performance using a combination of the FIB-4 index and M2BPGi. The median serum M2BPGi levels of healthy subjects, patients without advanced fibrosis, and those with the condition were 0.48, 0.94, and 2.93, respectively. The area under the receiver operating characteristic (AUROC) curve of M2BPGi (0.918) for advanced fibrosis was the highest compared to those of the FIB-4 index (0.887), APRI (0.873), and AST/ALT ratio (0.794). When M2BPGi was incorporated following the FIB-4 index, the sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), and negative predictive value (NPV) were 87.1%, 82.5%, 54.0%, and 96.4%, respectively. Moreover, 74.3% (133/179) of cases in the intermediate zone of the FIB-4 index avoided unnecessary referrals. Two-step pathway (FIB-4 followed by M2BPGi) could reduce unnecessary referrals and/or liver biopsies in an average-risk population.

Advantage of liver stiffness measurement before and after direct-acting antiviral therapy to predict hepatocellular carcinoma and exacerbation of esophageal varices in chronic hepatitis C

AIM

The risk of development of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) persisted in patients with advanced fibrosis, even after achieving sustained virologic response (SVR). This study aimed to show the advantage of liver stiffness measurement (LSM) at baseline and after SVR to predict HCC occurrence and esophageal varices (EV) exacerbation.

METHODS

These risks were evaluated in 398 chronic hepatitis C patients without a history of HCC who achieved SVR after direct-acting antiviral agent and evaluated LSM at least twice during follow up. We defined liver cirrhosis and chronic hepatitis as LSM of ≥12 kPa and <12 kPa, respectively.

RESULTS

LSM was significantly correlated with serum fibrosis markers, such as Fib-4 index and Wisteria floribunda agglutinin-positive Mac-2 binding protein, at baseline and SVR at 24 weeks after treatment (SVR24). Five patients received preventive treatment of EV, but no EV bleeding occurred after SVR, and their LSM at baseline and SVR24 was significantly higher than that of other cirrhosis patients. The annual rate of HCC during the first 4 years was 1.5%. LSM in HCC patients tended to decrease after direct-acting antiviral agent therapies, but significantly higher than that of cirrhosis patients without HCC before and after treatment. Multivariate analysis identified LSM and alpha-fetoprotein at baseline and LSM at SVR24 as significant independent predictors of HCC.

CONCLUSIONS

Evaluating LSM not only at baseline, but also SVR24, was found to be useful for the detection of advanced fibrosis patients at high risk of HCC occurrence and EV exacerbation. We recommend focused surveillance of HCC and EV for these patients.

Use of the Serum Wisteria floribunda Agglutinin-Positive Mac2 Binding Protein as a Marker of Gastroesophageal Varices and Liver-Related Events in Chronic Hepatitis C Patients

BACKGROUND

A test to narrow down patients who require esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) with a high probability of having gastroesophageal varices (GEV) and a high-risk of liver-related events is an unmet need.

METHODS

The measurement of serum fibrosis markers and EGD was performed in 166 consecutive chronic hepatitis C patients. The correlation between the grades of GEV and fibrosis markers and the subsequent occurrence of liver-related and fibrosis markers were examined.

RESULTS

Wisteria floribunda agglutinin-positive human Mac-2 binding protein (WFA⁺-M2BP) levels increased according to the grade of GEV (3.4 (0.2-18.6) for no GEV, 7.9 (1.8-20.0) for small GEV, and 11.4 (4.0-20.0) for large GEV; p < 0.001). The diagnostic accuracy of the WFA⁺-M2BP was superior compared to other serum fibrosis markers, and WFA⁺-M2BP was an independent predictor of GEV in the multivariate analysis. Furthermore, the cumulative incidence of liver-related events at one year was 2.3% in patients with WFA⁺-M2BP levels ≤ 7.0 and 37.5% in patients with WFA⁺-M2BP levels > 7.0 (p < 0.001). WFA⁺-M2BP > 7.0 was a significant predictive factor for liver-related events (Hazard ratio 6.7, p = 0.004) independent of Child-Pughclass.

CONCLUSIONS

WFA⁺-M2BP could be used to estimate the presence and grade of GEV and is linked to liver-related events in chronic hepatitis C patients.

Wisteria floribunda agglutinin-positive Mac-2-binding protein in the prediction of disease severity in chronic hepatitis B patients

BACKGROUND

Wisteria floribunda agglutinin-positive Mac-2-binding protein (WFA+-M2BP) was a novel marker of liver fibrosis. We aimed to investigate WFA+-M2BP level in assessing liver fibrosis in patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB) infection.

METHODS

A total of 160 CHB patients, who received a liver biopsy, were consecutively recruited. Serum WFA+-M2BP level was quantified at the time point of biopsy. The results were compared with histopathological manifestations and clinical characteristics of the patients.

RESULTS

The median WFA+-M2BP level, aspartate aminotransferase-to-platelet ratio (APRI) and Fibrosis-4 (FIB-4) index were 1.20 COI, 1.19, and 1.63, respectively. Fifty-one (31.9%) patients had advanced fibrosis. There was a significant increase of WFA+-M2BP levels in parallel to necroinflammation/fibrosis stages. The areas under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUROC) of WFA+-M2BP level for predicting fibrosis stages were 0.780 of F2, 0.785 of F3, and 0.769 of F4, respectively (all p <0.001). The multivariate analysis identified age (Odds ratio [OR] 1.05, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.010-1.092, p = 0.014), platelet (OR: 0.99, 95%CI: 0.980-0.998, p = 0.013), and WFA+-M2BP level (OR: 1.97, 95% CI: 1.299-2.984, p = 0.001) as independent factors associated with advanced fibrosis. Combination of age, platelet and WFA+-M2BP level achieved a better diagnostic performance for advanced fibrosis (AUROC: 0.732, accuracy: 81.3%) than APRI (AUROC: 0.577, accuracy: 63.8%) or FIB-4 index (AUROC: 0.691, accuracy: 75.6%).

CONCLUSION

WFA+-M2BP had a good performance indistinguishing liver fibrosis in CHB patients. The combination of age, platelet, and WFA+-M2BPaddressed more accuracy in identifying patients with advanced fibrosis.

Correlation of serum Mac-2-binding protein glycosylation isomer (M2BPGi) and liver stiffness in chronic hepatitis B infection

BACKGROUND AND AIM

Mac-2-binding protein glycosylation isomer (M2BPGi) is a novel serum diagnostic marker for liver fibrosis in various liver diseases. We aimed to evaluate its role in assessment of liver fibrosis in chronic hepatitis B infection (CHB) with reference to liver stiffness measurement (LSM).

METHODS

CHB patients with LSM by transient elastography technology and retrievable serum samples were recruited. Ten-year re-assessments of LSM and M2BPGi were repeated in a patient subgroup.

RESULTS

240 CHB patients (M:F = 116:124; median age 47.5 years) were recruited. The median M2BPGi values for F0/F1/F2, F3 and F4 progressively increased with more advanced stages of liver fibrosis: 0.39, 0.46 and 0.82 COI, respectively (p < 0.01). M2BPGi levels correlated well with liver stiffness (r = 0.611), FIB-4 (r = 0.616), and strongly with APRI (r = 0.825) (all p < 0.001). Using cut-off values of 0.605 and 0.615 COI, the AUROCs were 0.754 and 0.799 for ≥ F3 and F4, respectively. M2BPGi identified one-quarter patients at risk of advanced fibrosis/cirrhosis otherwise classified into 'grey area' by LSM. In 86 patients with reassessment LSM, 21 (24.4%) showed significant fibrosis regression with corresponding decline in median M2BPGi level (- 0.11 COI) compared with the increase of +0.03 COI in patients without significant fibrosis regression (p = 0.011). Male gender, older age, use of potent antiviral therapy and change in serum M2BPGi were independently associated with significant fibrosis regression.

CONCLUSIONS

Serum M2BPGi can risk-stratify CHB patients whose liver stiffness fell into the 'grey area'. Significant fibrosis regression occurring in one-quarter patients was reflected by a reduction in M2BPGi levels at 10-year interval.

Mac-2 binding protein glycan isomer (M2BPGi) is a new serum biomarker for assessing liver fibrosis: more than a biomarker of liver fibrosis

Assessing liver fibrosis is important for predicting the efficacy of antiviral therapy and patient prognosis. Liver biopsy is the gold standard for diagnosing liver fibrosis, despite its invasiveness and problematic diagnostic accuracy. Although noninvasive techniques to assess liver fibrosis are becoming important, reliable serum surrogate markers are not available. A glycoproteomics study aimed at identifying such markers discovered Mac 2-Binding Protein Gylcan Isomer (M2BPGi), which is a reliable marker for assessing liver fibrosis in patients with viral hepatitis and other fibrotic liver diseases such as primary biliary cholangitis, biliary atresia, autoimmune hepatitis, and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. M2BPGi predicts the development of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in patients infected with hepatitis B and C as well as the prognosis of liver cirrhosis in those with HCC after therapy. The unique features of M2BPGi are as follows: (1) cut-off values differ for the same stages of fibrosis according to the cause of fibrosis; and (2) M2BPGi levels rapidly decrease after patients achieve a sustained antiviral response to hepatitis C virus. These observations cannot be explained if M2BPGi levels reflect the amount of fibrotic tissue. Hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) secrete M2BPGi, which may serve as a messenger between HSCs and Kupffer cells via Mac-2 (galectin 3) that is expressed in Kupffer cells during fibrosis progression. Here we show that M2BPGi is a surrogate marker for assessing HSC activation. These findings may reveal the roles of HSCs in extrahepatic fibrotic disease progression.

Role of serum M2BPGi levels on diagnosing significant liver fibrosis and cirrhosis in treated patients with chronic hepatitis B virus infection

Background

Mac-2-binding protein glycosylation isomer (M2BPGi), a novel serum marker for liver fibrosis, was seldom studied in chronic hepatitis B (CHB). We aimed to evaluate its role on diagnosing significant fibrosis and cirrhosis in treated CHB patients.

Methods

CHB patients treated with nucleos(t)ide analogues (NAs) with baseline liver biopsies and retrievable serum samples were recruited. Paired liver biopsies were performed in patient subgroups at 1 and 3 years.

Results

In total, 327 NA-treated CHB patients (M:F = 229:98; median age 38.1 years) were recruited. The median M2BPGi values were 0.26, 0.34, 0.57 and 1.21 cutoff index (COI), in liver histology with Ishak F0–1, F2, F3 and F4, respectively (p < 0.01). M2BPGi levels correlated with the Ishak scores (ρ = 0.312, p < 0.001). Using the cutoff values of 0.25, 0.45 and 0.96 COI for ≥F2, ≥F3 and F4, the AUROCs were 0.653, 0.795 and 0.914, respectively. Multivariate analysis with several other serum indices showed that M2BPGi was the most significant independent factor for ≥F3 (OR: 8.197, 95% CI: 2.699–24.897, p < 0.001). In patient subgroups with serial liver biopsies, both the proportion of F3/F4 and M2BPGi decreased at 1 year (8.3% vs. 2.8% and 0.32 vs. 0.21 COI, respectively; both p < 0.001). Histological fibrosis progression after ≥3 years of NA therapy accompanied with an increase in M2BPGi level, compared to patients without progression (+0.14 vs −0.03 COI, p = 0.045).

Conclusion

Serum M2BPGi is a reliable non-invasive marker for diagnosing ≥F2, ≥F3 and F4. It is the only significant marker for ≥F3 among several other indices. NA produced concordant dynamic changes in M2BPGi levels and histological fibrosis.

Wisteria floribunda agglutinin-positive Mac-2 binding protein predicts the development of hepatocellular carcinoma in patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease

AIM

As it is not practical to perform regular screening for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in all patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), there is a need to identify NAFLD patients who are at high risk for HCC. Wisteria floribunda agglutinin-positive Mac-2 binding protein (WFA⁺ -M2BP) has been shown to be a surrogate marker for predicting HCC as well as a liver fibrosis marker in patients with chronic hepatitis B and C. The aim of this study was to investigate whether WFA⁺ -M2BP predicts HCC development in NAFLD patients.

METHODS

Serum WFA⁺ -M2BP was retrospectively measured in 331 patients with histologically proven NAFLD, 51 of whom developed HCC. The association of WFA⁺ -M2BP and HCC development in NAFLD patients was investigated.

RESULTS

The WFA⁺ -M2BP values were significantly greater in NAFLD patients with HCC than in those without HCC among patients with liver fibrosis ≥stage 3. Multivariate analysis identified WFA⁺ -M2BP as one of the predictive factors for HCC development (odds ratio, 1.57; 95% confidence interval, 1.083-2.265; P = 0.017). The optimal cut-off index of WFA⁺ -M2BP for predicting HCC was 1.255 with specificity of 78.4% and sensitivity of 70.4%. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve value for the prediction of HCC development was 0.806. The cumulative incidence rate of HCC was significantly greater in patients with WFA⁺ -M2BP ≥ 1.255 (n = 61) than in those with WFA⁺ -M2BP < 1.255 (n = 137) among patients who were followed up for more than 2 years after the diagnosis of NAFLD.

CONCLUSIONS

Wisteria floribunda agglutinin-positive Mac-2 binding protein predicts HCC development and is a useful surrogate marker for identifying NAFLD patients who are at a high risk for HCC.

Serum Wisteria floribunda agglutinin-positive Mac-2-binding protein evaluates liver function and predicts prognosis in liver cirrhosis

OBJECTIVE

Wisteria floribunda agglutinin-positive Mac-2-binding protein (WFA⁺ -M2BP) is a novel glycobiomarker for evaluating liver fibrosis, but less is known about its role in liver cirrhosis (LC). This study aimed to investigate the utility of WFA⁺ -M2BP in evaluating liver function and predicting prognosis of cirrhotic patients.

METHODS

We retrospectively included 197 patients with LC between 2013 and 2016. Serum WFA⁺ -M2BP and various biochemical parameters were measured in all patients. With a median follow-up of 23 months, liver-related complications and deaths of 160 patients were recorded. The accuracy of WFA⁺ -M2BP in evaluating liver function, predicting decompensation and mortality were measured by the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve, logistic and Cox's regression analyses, respectively.

RESULTS

WFA⁺ -M2BP levels increased with elevated Child-Pugh classification, especially in patients with hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection. ROC analysis confirmed the high reliability of WFA⁺ -M2BP for the assessment of liver function using Child-Pugh classification. WFA⁺ -M2BP was also significantly positively correlated with the model for end-stage liver disease (MELD) score. Multivariate logistic regression analysis indicated WFA⁺ -M2BP as an independent predictor of clinical decompensation for compensated patients (odds ratio 11.958, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.876-76.226, P = 0.009), and multivariate Cox's regression analysis verified WFA⁺ -M2BP as an independent risk factor for liver-related death in patients with HBV infection (hazards ratio 10.596, 95% CI 1.356-82.820, P = 0.024).

CONCLUSION

Serum WFA⁺ -M2BP is a reliable predictor of liver function and prognosis in LC and could be incorporated into clinical surveillance strategies for LC patients, especially those with HBV infection.

Relationship between skeletal muscle mass and liver fibrosis markers for patients with hepatitis C virus related liver disease

We aimed to elucidate the relationship between serum liver fibrosis markers (Mac-2 binding protein glycosylation isomer (M2BPGi), FIB-4 index, aspartate aminotransferase to platelet ratio index and hyaluronic acid), and skeletal muscle mass and to investigate factors linked to skeletal muscle mass loss (SMML) in patients with chronic hepatitis C (CHC, n = 277, median age = 64 years). We defined patients with psoas muscle index [PMI, sum of bilateral psoas muscle mass calculated by manual trace method at the lumber 3 level on the computed tomography images divided by height squared (cm/m)] less than 6.36 cm/m for male and 3.92 cm/m for female as those with SMML based on the recommendations in current guidelines. Receiver operating curve (ROC) analysis was performed for predicting SMML in 4 liver fibrosis markers and parameters linked to SMML were also investigated in the univariate and multivariate analyses. In terms of liver fibrosis stages, F4 was observed in 115 patients, F3 in 67, F2 in 38, F1 in 53, and F0 in 4. The median (range) PMI for male and female were 6.198 (2.999-13.698) and 4.100 (1.691-7.052) cm/m, respectively. There were 72 male patients with SMML (55.4%) and 58 female patients with SMML (39.5%) (P = .0112). In both male and female, a significant inverse correlation between PMI and levels of liver fibrosis markers was observed in all liver fibrosis markers. ROC analyses for predicting SMML revealed that FIB-4 index had the highest area under the ROC (AUC = 0.712), followed by M2BPGi (AUC = 0.692). In the multivariate analysis of factors linked to SMML, gender (P = .0003), body mass index (P < .0001), FIB-4 index (P = .0039), and M2BPGi (P = .0121) were found to be significant predictors. In conclusion, liver fibrosis markers, especially FIB-4 index, can be helpful for predicting SMML in CHC patients.

Increased serum Wisteria floribunda agglutinin positive Mac-2 binding protein (Mac-2 binding protein glycosylation isomer) in chronic heart failure: a pilot study

BACKGROUND

Serum Wisteria floribunda agglutinin positive Mac-2 binding protein (WFA⁺-M2BP) or Mac-2 Binding Protein Glycosylation Isomer (M2BPGi) is a novel biomarker currently applied for evaluating hepatic fibrosis. The aim of this study was to evaluate the utility of serum WFA⁺-M2BP level as a biomarker in chronic heart failure (HF) patients with abnormal liver function.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Fifty chronic HF patients who underwent measurement of serum WFA⁺-M2BP were evaluated. The median value of serum WFA⁺-M2BP was 0.88 (interquartile range 0.48-1.29) cut-off index, and positive WFA⁺-M2BP (≥ 1.00 cut-off index) was observed in 22 (44%). Elevated WFA + -M2BP was associated with longer HF history, older age, female sex, valvular heart disease, decreased estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), albumin, and cholinesterase. Stepwise multiple regression analysis showed that HF history, eGFR, and albumin were independent determinants of serum WFA⁺-M2BP values. Repeated measurements of serum WFA⁺-M2BP suggested association between the decrease of WFA⁺-M2BP and improvement of New York Heart Association (NYHA) functional class.

CONCLUSIONS

Elevation of serum WFA⁺-M2BP showed a high prevalence in chronic HF patients with abnormal liver function with relation to HF history, decreased hepatic protein synthesis, and renal dysfunction. Our results suggest that serum WFA⁺-M2BP may be a novel biomarker of chronic HF.

Development of a simple predictive model for decreased skeletal muscle mass in patients with compensated chronic liver disease

AIM

To develop and validate a simple predictive model using easily obtained clinical parameters to predict decreased skeletal muscle mass (DSMM) in chronic liver disease (CLD) patients (n = 652).

METHODS

Study subjects were divided into a training set (n = 326) and a validation set (n = 326). Decreased skeletal muscle mass was diagnosed based on skeletal muscle mass index measured by bioimpedance analysis. Variables significantly associated with DSMM were identified using univariate and multivariate analyses in the training set and used to construct a predictive formula. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was carried out and the predictive model was validated in the validation set. Subgroup analyses were undertaken based on gender, age, or cirrhosis status of patients.

RESULTS

Body mass index (BMI), age, serum albumin, and branched-chain amino acid to tyrosine ratio (BTR) were determined to be significant predictive factors for DSMM. A composite formula "BALB score" was constructed [-7.740 + (0.539 × BMI) + (-0.112 × age) + (1.358 × albumin) + (-0.264 × BTR)]. The BALB score had the best predictive characteristics among all variables in both population sets (area under the ROC curve, 0.877-0.898). Patients with DSMM were stratified into three BALB score categories (>4, 0-4, and <0). Subgroup analyses also showed that BALB scoring was predictive of DSMM irrespective of gender, age, or cirrhosis status. The BALB score significantly correlated with psoas muscle index on computed tomography (r_s  = 0.6083 for men; r_s  = 0.6814 for women).

CONCLUSION

The BALB scoring system based on routinely used clinical parameters offers a convenient and non-invasive method for predicting DSMM in compensated CLD patients with high accuracy.