Circulating Thrombospondin-2 Levels Reflect Hepatic Fibrosis Severity and Renal Dysfunction in a General Population: Uku Study.

BACKGROUND

Serum thrombospondin-2 (TSP-2) plays a role in various biological processes, including collagen and fibrin formation. Preclinical studies have implicated TSP-2 in liver fibrosis and renal impairment. However, the clinical significance of serum TSP-2 levels in relation to liver and renal function in the general population remains unclear. This study aimed to investigate the association between serum TSP-2 levels and the severity of hepatic fibrosis or renal dysfunction.

METHODS

A cross-sectional study was conducted in Uku Town, Nagasaki Prefecture, Japan, in 2019. A total of 225 participants were enrolled, and serum TSP-2 levels were directly measured. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to assess the relationship between TSP-2 levels and hepatic fibrosis severity or renal dysfunction.

RESULTS

The mean ± standard deviation (SD) age of the participants was 69.0±7.9 years. Serum TSP-2 levels were significantly elevated with increasing FIB-4 index scores (p = 0.003) and progressively increased with decreasing estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) levels (p = 0.027). Furthermore, the association between TSP-2 levels and the FIB-4 index remained statistically significant (p < 0.001) after adjustment for age, sex, and potential confounders.

CONCLUSIONS

These findings suggest a significant association between serum TSP-2 levels and both liver fibrosis and renal dysfunction, even in a healthy Japanese general population.