title: Plasma concentration of pigment epithelium-derived factor in patients with diabetic retinopathy.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Pigment epithelium-derived factor (PEDF) is a strong inhibitor of angiogenesis. Eyes with diabetic retinopathy have low levels of ocular PEDF; however, the PEDF levels in the blood of diabetics have still not been determined.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  Our objective was to determine the plasma levels of PEDF in diabetic patients and to determine the relationship with the stage of the diabetic retinopathy.
  
  
  METHODS
  This study was designed as a cross-sectional, institutional study.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 145 Japanese were studied; 112 had type 2 diabetes mellitus, and 33 were healthy controls.
  
  
  METHODS
  There was no intervention.
  
  
  METHODS
  The plasma level of PEDF was measured by ELISA, and the stage of diabetic retinopathy was determined by ophthalmic examinations. Clinical systemic status of diabetic patients was also examined.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The plasma PEDF level in diabetic patients (6.68 +/- 0.54 microg/ml; mean +/- sem) was significantly higher than that in controls (4.38 +/- 0.59 microg/ml, P = 0.03), and the level was especially high in patients with proliferative diabetic retinopathy (7.78 +/- 0.98 microg/ml; n = 45; P = 0.005). The gender (P = 0.03), blood urea nitrogen (P = 0.005), and triglycerides (P = 0.04) were significant and independent determinants of plasma PEDF levels in diabetic patients.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The PEDF level in the plasma was significantly elevated in diabetic patients, especially those with proliferative diabetic retinopathy. High levels of PEDF in the plasma may be related to the progression of diabetic retinopathy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, Kansai Medical University, Fumizono-cho 10-15, Moriguchi, Osaka 570-8507, Japan. ogata@takii.kmu.ac.jp
authors.forename: Nahoko
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Ogata
authors.forename: Masato
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Matsuoka
authors.forename: Kayako
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Matsuyama
authors.forename: Chieko
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Shima
authors.forename: Aran
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Tajika
authors.forename: Toshiyuki
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Nishiyama
authors.forename: Mitsumasa
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Wada
authors.forename: Nobuo
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Jo
authors.forename: Akiko
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Higuchi
authors.forename: Keizo
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Minamino
authors.forename: Hiroshi
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Matsunaga
authors.forename: Toshihiko
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Takeda
authors.forename: Miyo
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Matsumura
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000097:blood* / Q000150:complications; D003930:Diabetic Retinopathy / Q000097:blood*; D018450:Disease Progression; D005136:Eye Proteins / Q000097:blood*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009414:Nerve Growth Factors / Q000097:blood*; D012044:Regression Analysis; D015843:Serpins / Q000097:blood*; D000099174:Pigment Epithelium-Derived Factor
chemical_list: D005136:Eye Proteins; D009414:Nerve Growth Factors; D015843:Serpins; D000099174:Pigment Epithelium-Derived Factor