Reduced Levels of Serum Pigment Epithelium-Derived Factor in Women With Endometriosis

Abstract

The authors previously demonstrated decreased levels of pigment epithelium-derived factor (PEDF) in peritoneal fluid of women with endometriosis compared to women without endometriosis. Here, the authors determine whether women with endometriosis have altered levels of PEDF in serum. Peripheral blood samples were collected from 71 women with and without endometriosis (n = 43 and 28, respectively) before laparoscopic surgery. Concentrations of serum PEDF were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. We detected lower levels of serum PEDF in women with endometriosis (16.3 ± 6.6 ng/mL) than in those without endometriosis (24.5 ± 7.3 ng/mL; P < .001). In women with endometriosis, the concentrations of serum PEDF were significantly lower in women with pain (n = 11, 12.6 ± 7.1 ng/mL) compared to women without pain (n = 32, 17.5 ± 6.0 ng/mL; P < .05). However, the concentrations of serum PEDF did not correlate with disease stage or site or infertility. In addition, the concentrations of serum PEDF did not show any difference in the phase of the cycle in either group. Our results suggest that reduced levels of serum PEDF in women with endometriosis and disease-related pain may play a role in the pathogenesis of this disease.

Biomarkers for the Noninvasive Diagnosis of Endometriosis: State of the Art and Future Perspectives

“…Pigment epithelium-derived factor (PEDF) is an inhibitor of angiogenesis with neurotrophic and anti-inflammatory properties, and modified values of this molecule have been found in endometriotic patients. Chen et al [104] analyzed the serum levels of PEDF in 43 women with laparoscopically confirmed endometriosis and 28 controls, using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The results of their study indicated that PEDF was significantly decreased (16.3 ± 6.6 ng/mL) in cases compared to controls (24.5 ± 7.3 ng/mL) and was correlated with the severity of the symptoms.…”

Analysis of protein expression changes in the blood plasma of cows during the last month before parturition and 2 months after calving

“…Tshoneret et al (2011) demonstrated that the reduction in the concentration of PEDF could be associated with weight and fat loss (low BMI) and the concentration of insulin and triglycerides. It is worth noting that Chen et al (2012) found no differences in the concentration of PEDF in the serum of women at different phases of the sexual cycle. These observations are consistent with the results of our study, as we have not found statistically significant variations in the expression of this protein in the first 2 months of lactation.…”

Pigment Epithelium Derived Factor Inhibits the Growth of Human Endometrial Implants in Nude Mice and of Ovarian Endometriotic Stromal Cells In Vitro

“…This further supports a fact that PEDF inhibits the growth of endometriotic cells not only by anti-neovascularization but also through the apoptosis of endometriotic cells themselves. Nevertheless, VEGF expression was decreased in vitro and vivo when PEDF treatment, suggesting an important role of VEGF playing in the pathogenesis of endometriosis [29], [30], [39], [40]. Apparently, the adjustment of an imbalance of VEGF and PEDF may be an important mechanism of PEDF gene therapy for endometriosis.…”

“…As a natural inhibitor of angiogenesis, PEDF may be more active against endometriotic lesions at the formation stage [26], [30]. Actually, many anti-angiogenic factors including COX-2 inhibitors used to treat endometriosis in animal models exert their effects at this stage [6], [7].…”

“…Recently, we found that concentrations of PEDF in serum and peritoneal fluid in women with endometriosis are decreased, and correlated with the severity and type of the disease [29], [30], and that PEDF expression is low in endometriotic lesions in women with endometriosis and in a rat model of endometriosis (unpublished results). This provides a clue that PEDF may be used as a treatment for endometriosis.…”