Increased serum pigment epithelium-derived factor is associated with microvascular complications, vascular stiffness and inflammation in Type 1 diabetes.

Aims: To determine in Type 1 diabetes patients if levels of pigment epithelium-derived factor (PEDF), an anti-angiogenic, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant factor, are increased in individuals with complications and positively related to vascular and renal dysfunction, body mass index, glycated haemoglobin, lipids, inflammation and oxidative stress.

Methods: Serum PEDF levels were measured by ELISA in a cross-sectional study of 123 Type 1 diabetic patients (71 without and 52 with microvascular complications) and 31 non-diabetic control subjects. PEDF associations with complication status, pulse-wave analysis and biochemical results were explored.

Results: PEDF levels [geometric mean (95% CI)] were increased in patients with complications 8.2 (7.0-9.6) microg/ml, vs. complication-free patients [5.3 (4.7-6.0) microg/ml, P < 0.001] and control subjects [5.3 (4.6-6.1) microg/ml, P < 0.001; anova between three groups, P < 0.001], but did not differ significantly between control subjects and complication-free patients (P > 0.05). In diabetes, PEDF levels correlated (all P < 0.001) with systolic blood pressure (r = 0.317), pulse pressure (r = 0.337), small artery elasticity (r = -0.269), glycated haemoglobin (r = 0.245), body mass index (r = 0.362), renal dysfunction [including serum creatinine (r = 0.491), cystatin C (r = 0.500)], triglycerides (r = 0.367), and inflammation [including log(e)C-reactive protein (CRP; r = 0.329), and soluble vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (r = 0.363)]. Age, blood urea nitrogen, systolic blood pressure, pulse pressure and log(e)CRP correlated with PEDF levels in control subjects (all P < 0.04). PEDF levels were not significantly correlated with measures of oxidative stress: isoprostanes, oxidized low-density lipoprotein or paraoxonase-1 activity. On stepwise linear regression analysis (all subjects), independent determinants of PEDF levels were renal function, triglycerides, inflammation, small artery elasticity and age (r(2) = 0.427).

Conclusions: In Type 1 diabetes, serum PEDF levels are associated with microvascular complications, poor vascular health, hyperglycaemia, adiposity and inflammation.