The association between plasma concentration of pigment epithelium-derived factor and diabetic retinopathy

Abstract Objectives Diabetic retinopathy (DRP) is one of the most common microvascular complications of diabetes. The pigment epithelium-derived factor (PEDF) is a protein that is one of the most potent angiogenesis inhibitors. The effect of blood PEDF concentration on DRP formation remains unclear. The present study aimed to determine whether the plasma concentration of PEDF is effective on the appearance of DRP. Methods The present study consisted of 62 patients with diabetes mellitus and 20 healthy participants. The patient group included 28 patients with non-proliferative DRP, 13 with proliferative DRP, and 21 diabetic patients without DRP. The PEDF levels in patient serum samples were detected through the ELISA method. The body mass index of the participants was calculated. Results Serum PEDF levels of diabetic patients (1.533 ± 0.233 μg/mL) were found to be lower (2.163 ± 0.343 μg/mL) than healthy participants (p=0.002). The PEDF levels were similar in the DRP and non-DRP groups (p=0.337). The plasma PEDF level decreased along with the progression of DRP (p=0.001). Conclusions The PEDF concentration in the blood decreases along with the increase of DRP grade. Decreased blood concentration of PEDF may be important to predict microvascular complications. Agents containing PEDF may be used intraocularly/systemically for therapeutic purposes to prevent vascular complications of diabetes in the near future.