Elevated Serum Levels of Pregnancy-Associated Plasma Protein-A in Type 2 Diabetics Compared to Healthy Controls: Associations with Subclinical Atherosclerosis Parameters

Type 2 diabetes mellitus is associated with increased inflammation and accelerated atherosclerosis. The association of the pro-inflammatory and potentially pro-atherosclerotic molecule, pregnancy associated plasma protein-A (PAPP-A) with diabetes and vascular diseases remains to be further established. A total of 107 patients with type 2 diabetes and 101 healthy controls participated in this study. Serum levels of PAPP-A was measured by Enzyme-linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA). We also evaluated the lipid profile, aortic augmentation index, coronary calcium score, ankle brachial index, flow mediated dilation, and carotid intima media thickness. Serum level of PAPP-A was significantly higher in patients with diabetes compared to controls (P<0.001). In the multivariable regression analysis, PAPP-A was positively correlated with diabetes (P<0.001), aortic augmentation index (P=0.021) and was negatively associated with coronary calcification (P=0.050). In conclusion, serum levels of PAPP-A were significantly higher in diabetics compared to healthy controls and correlated with aortic augmentation index and coronary calcification. Our study results suggest that PAPP-A can be a marker of subclinical atherosclerosis in patients with diabetes.