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 (SERPINF1), and human obesity, particularly specific adipose tissue depots, and other features of the metabolic syndrome.
Methods: We examined the plasma concentration of SERPINF1, anthropometric parameters, abdominal s.c. and visceral adipose tissue, lipid, glucose, insulin, and alanine aminotransferase level in a non-diabetic general Caucasian population (n=59).
Results: Plasma SERPINF1 level in males (6.2+/-2.1 microg/ml) was higher than in females (3.1+/-1.4 microg/ml; P<0.001). Plasma SERPINF1 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 (beta=0.361, P=0.010) and body mass index (beta=0.288, P=0.008) were significant independent determinants of plasma SERPINF1 level, together with gender (beta=-0.424, P<0.001).
Conclusions: We conclude that the plasma SERPINF1 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 SERPINF1 and metabolic syndrome in this population.