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Plasma pigment epithelium-derived factor is positively associated with obesity in caucasian subjects, in particular with the visceral fat depot

P Wang, Human Biology, Maastricht University, Maastricht, 6200 MD , Netherlands
E Smit, Human Biology, Maastricht University, Maastricht, Netherlands
M Brouwers, Internal Medicine, Maastricht University, Maastricht, Netherlands
G Goossens, Human Biology, Maastricht University, Maastricht, Netherlands
C van der Kallen, Internal Medicine, Maastricht University, Maastricht, Netherlands
M van Greevenbroek, Internal Medicine, Maastricht University, Maastricht, Netherlands
E Mariman, Human Biology, Maastricht University, Maastricht, Netherlands

Correspondence: Ping Wang, Email: ping.wang{at}hb.unimaas.nl

Abstract

Objective: adipose tissue releases factors (adipokines) that influence local, peripheral as well as central processes. In the present study we determined the relationship between plasma concentration of a recently identified adipokine, pigment epithelium-derived factor (PEDF), and human obesity, particularly specific adipose tissue depots, and other features of the metabolic syndrome.

Methods: we examined the plasma concentration of PEDF, anthropometric parameters, abdominal subcutaneous and visceral adipose tissue, lipid, glucose, insulin and alanine aminotransferase level in a non-diabetic general Caucasian population (n=59).

Results: plasma PEDF level in males (6.2 ± 2.1 µg/ml) was higher than in females (3.1 ± 1.4 µg/ml; P<0.001). Plasma PEDF was positively correlated with age and all features of metabolic syndrome. However, in multiple linear regression analysis with adjustment for age and gender, only visceral fat thickness (β=0.361, P=0.010) and body mass index (BMI) (β=0.288, P =0.008) were significant independent determinants of plasma PEDF level, together with the gender (β=-0.424, P<0.001).

Conclusions: we conclude that the plasma PEDF level is strongly associated with body adiposity, in particular with the visceral fat depot in the non-diabetic general population. This association may (partly) explain the relationship between PEDF and metabolic syndrome in this population.