Serum Pigment Epithelium-Derived Factor Is Elevated in Women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome and Correlates with Insulin Resistance

Context: Serum pigment epithelium-derived factor (PEDF) is highly expressed in adipose tissue and plays an important role in insulin resistance (IR). However, there are no data on serum PEDF levels and their relationship with IR in polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) women. Objective: To quantitate serum PEDF levels and examine their relationship with IR in women with PCOS. Participants and Design: Ninety-six PCOS women and 63 healthy age-matched controls were recruited. Ninety-six PCOS women and 20 controls underwent hyperinsulinemic-euglycemic clamp to assess their insulin sensitivity, which was expressed as M value. IR was also estimated by homeostasis model assessment 2 (HOMA2-IR). Setting: The study was performed at a clinical research center. Results: PCOS women had lower M value and higher HOMA2-IR as compared with controls. Serum PEDF levels were much higher in PCOS women than in controls (5.45 +/- 1.85 vs. 3.97 +/- 0.98 mu g/ml, P < 0.01). Spearman correlation analysis showed that in PCOS women, PEDF positively correlated with body mass index, waist circumference, HOMA2-IR, triglycerides, total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and systolic blood pressure and negatively correlated with M value and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol. Multiple linear regression analysis revealed that in PCOS women, after adjustment for body mass index, systolic blood pressure, and serum lipids (triglycerides, total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol), PEDF was still associated with M value or HOMA2-IR. Conclusions: The serum PEDF level is elevated in women with PCOS and is associated with IR. PEDF may play a role in the pathogenesis of IR in PCOS. (J Clin Endocrinol Metab 96: 831-836, 2011)