Serum pigment epithelium-derived factor (PEDF) levels were significantly higher in type 1 diabetic patients with retinopathy (n=20, 10.38+/-3.87 microg/ml) compared to the patients without it (n=57, 7.68+/-2.80 microg/ml) (p=0.0013). Elevated PEDF levels may be related to the progression of diabetic retinopathy.
Department of Internal Medicine and Therapeutics, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, 2-2 Yamadaoka, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, Japan. katakami@medone.med.osaka-u.ac.jp