Plasma concentration of pigment epithelium-derived factor in patients with diabetic retinopathy.
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.
Ogata
Nahoko
N
Department of Ophthalmology, Kansai Medical University, Fumizono-cho 10-15, Moriguchi, Osaka 570-8507, Japan. ogata@takii.kmu.ac.jp
Matsuoka
Masato
M
Matsuyama
Kayako
K
Shima
Chieko
C
Tajika
Aran
A
Nishiyama
Toshiyuki
T
Wada
Mitsumasa
M
Jo
Nobuo
N
Higuchi
Akiko
A
Minamino
Keizo
K
Matsunaga
Hiroshi
H
Takeda
Toshihiko
T
Matsumura
Miyo
M
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
D005136:Eye Proteins; D009414:Nerve Growth Factors; D015843:Serpins; D000099174:Pigment Epithelium-Derived Factor