This Article Full Text Full Text (PDF) Submit a related Letter to the Editor Alert me when this article is cited Alert me when eLetters are posted Alert me if a correction is posted Citation Map Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Request Copyright Permission Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Ogata, N. Articles by Matsumura, M. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Ogata, N. Articles by Matsumura, M. Related Collections Cardiovascular Endocrinology Diabetes and Insulin

Plasma Concentration of Pigment Epithelium-Derived Factor in Patients with Diabetic Retinopathy

Departments of Ophthalmology (N.O., M.Matsuo., K.Ma., C.S., K.Mi., H.M., T.T.) and Public Health (A.T., T.N.), Kansai Medical University, Moriguchi, Osaka 570-8507, Japan; and Department of Ophthalmology (M.W., N.J., A.H., M.Matsum.), Kansai Medical University, Hirakata, Osaka 573-1136, Japan

Address all correspondence and requests for reprints to: Nahoko Ogata, Department of Ophthalmology, Kansai Medical University, Fumizono-cho 10-15, Moriguchi, Osaka 570-8507, Japan. E-mail: ogata{at}takii.kmu.ac.jp.

Context: 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.

Objectives: 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.

Design and Setting: This study was designed as a cross-sectional, institutional study.

Patients or Other Participants: A total of 145 Japanese were studied; 112 had type 2 diabetes mellitus, and 33 were healthy controls.

Intervention: There was no intervention.

Main Outcome Measures: 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 µg/ml; mean ± SEM) was significantly higher than that in controls (4.38 ± 0.59 µg/ml, P = 0.03), and the level was especially high in patients with proliferative diabetic retinopathy (7.78 ± 0.98 µg/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.

This article has been cited by other articles:

				S. Wang, J. L. Gottlieb, C. M. Sorenson, and N. Sheibani Modulation of Thrombospondin 1 and Pigment Epithelium-Derived Factor Levels in Vitreous Fluid of Patients With Diabetes Arch Ophthalmol, April 1, 2009; 127(4): 507 - 513. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				P. Wang, E. Smit, M. C G J Brouwers, G. H Goossens, C. J H van der Kallen, M. M J van Greevenbroek, and E. C M Mariman Plasma pigment epithelium-derived factor is positively associated with obesity in Caucasian subjects, in particular with the visceral fat depot Eur. J. Endocrinol., December 1, 2008; 159(6): 713 - 718. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				B.-S. Youn, N. Kloting, J. Kratzsch, N. Lee, J. W. Park, E.-S. Song, K. Ruschke, A. Oberbach, M. Fasshauer, M. Stumvoll, et al. Serum Vaspin Concentrations in Human Obesity and Type 2 Diabetes Diabetes, February 1, 2008; 57(2): 372 - 377. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]