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Cystatin C Mirrors Fibrosis Burden in Metabolic Syndrome: Insights from the Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Fibrosis-5 Score

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Metabolic syndrome (MetS) comprises interrelated metabolic abnormalities that collectively confer increased risk of cardiovascular disease and hepatic morbidity. The MAF-5 score is a non-invasive prognostic marker of liver fibrosis and mortality, while Cystatin C (CysC) is a sensitive indicator of renal function that also reflects inflammation, atherosclerosis, and metabolic dysfunction. Although both MetS and CysC have been widely studied, their potential interplay via MAF-5 remains unclear. We aimed to investigate the relationship between MAF-5 scores and CysC levels in MetS patients for the first time. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Adults (≥18 years) with MetS were included in this study. MAF-5 scores (based on waist circumference, BMI, diabetes status, AST, and platelet count) and CysC levels were recorded. The MAF-5-CysC relationship was assessed via Pearson correlation. Participants were grouped into MAF-5 quartiles, and continuous variables were compared using ANOVA with Bonferroni-corrected pairwise tests. RESULTS: < 0.001), with Q4 showing higher values than Q1 and Q2. CONCLUSIONS: A significant correlation was found between MAF-5 scores and CysC in patients with MetS. CysC levels differed significantly across MAF-5 quartiles, suggesting a potential link between systemic inflammation, liver fibrosis, and CysC. These results highlight shared inflammatory and fibrotic pathways, underlying metabolic dysfunction. Clinically, combined assessment of MAF-5 and CysC may improve risk stratification, identifying patients at higher risk for hepatic fibrosis and adverse outcomes.

Source: Metabolites

DOI: 10.3390/metabo16010071

Authors: Musa Salmanoğlu, Sinan Kazan, Elif Yıldırım Ayaz, Süleyman Kılıç, Elif Kazan, Sena Ulu

Institutions: Sağlık Bilimleri Üniversitesi, Afyonkarahisar Sağlık Bilimleri Üniversitesi

Language: English

Topic: Liver Disease Diagnosis and Treatment

Subfield: Epidemiology

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $3,258