Pigment Epithelium Derived Factor and Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor in Diabetic Retinopathy

Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is the most common microvascular complication of diabetes mellitus. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is a major mediator of vascular permeability and angiogenesis and also an important mediator of retinal ischemia-associated intraocular neovascularization. Pigment epithelium-derived factor (PEDF) is a strong inhibitor of angiogenesis. The objective of this study was to demonstrate the correlation between VEGF and PEDF in DR. A total of 117 subjects (healthy, diabetic without retinopathy and diabetic retinopathy) were studied. Serum VEGF and PEDF were measured. Result revealed a significant positive correlation between PEDF and VEGF (OR=0.820, p 0.01) in all subjects so the concentrations of PEDF and VEGF predict adverse outcomes, and their measurement may facilitate risk estimation, and PEDF-based interventions might be considered.