| Abstract: | BACKGROUND: Increased serum concentrations of pigment epithelium-derived factor (PEDF) have been linked to the metabolic syndrome in the general population. However, the relationship between serum PEDF and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), a hepatic manifestation of the metabolic syndrome, remains unknown. METHODS: We assayed serum PEDF levels in 156 patients with biopsy-proven NAFLD and 103 nonsteatotic control subjects who were matched for age and sex. The association between levels of PEDF and clinical, biochemical, and histological phenotypes was examined. RESULTS: NAFLD patients had significantly higher serum PEDF levels (1.97±0.50 μg/mL) than control subjects (1.51±0.49 μg/mL, Student's t test, P<0.001). Multivariable-adjusted stepwise regression analysis showed that PEDF ([beta]=0.32, t=3.13, P=0.002) and triglycerides ([beta]=0.22, t=2.23, P=0.02) were, in the order they entered into the model, the main independent predictors of steatosis scores in our patients with NAFLD. CONCLUSIONS: Serum PEDF levels are significantly increased in patients with biopsy-proven NAFLD and are associated with liver steatosis independently of traditional risk factors. |
