Objective:To compare serum pregnancy-associated plasma protein A(PAPP-A)levels in adult growth hormone deficiency(AGHD)patients with healthy adults and study the relationship of PAPP-A with glucose and lipid metabolism

blood pressure

free fatty acid

C-reactive protein and others.Methods:The level of fasting serum PAPP-A was measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA)in 20 cases of AGHD patients and 20 healthy adults.Meanwhile

fasting plasma glucose(FPG)

lipid profile

fasting insulin level

free fatty acid and C-reactive protein and so on were measured in all subjects.BMI was evaluated and insulin sensitivity was assessed by HOMA-IR and HOMA-β.Results:The serum PAPP-A level in AGHD patients was significantly higher than that of control group(7.57[6.59-8.96] vs 6.20[5.78-6.96]

P<0.05).PAPP-A was positively correlated to age

body mass index

waist circumference

waist-hip ratio

systolic blood pressure

2-hour postprandial blood glucose

fasting insulin

and HOMA-IR.After adjusting the waist circumference

waist-hip ratio

2-hour postprandial blood glucose

and triglycerides

the serum PAPP-A in AGHD patients was positively correlated to BMI(r=0.728

P<0.05)and fasting insulin(r=0.433

P<0.05).In a multiple step-wise regression analysis

BMI

2-hour postprandial glucose

fasting insulin

and HOMA-IR were independent factors related to serum PAPP-A in AGHD patients.Conclusion:This study shows that serum PAPP-A in AGHD patients is increased.Serum PAPP-A is correlated with BMI

2-hour postprandial glucose

fasting insulin

and HOMA-IR.This study suggests serum PAPP-A may be associated with atherosclerosis and abnormal glucose metabolism in AGHD patients.