Pregnancy-Associated Plasma Protein-A2 and Anthropometry, Lifestyle, and Biochemical Factors in a Human Adult Population

Sci Rep. 2017 Sep 5;7(1):10455. doi: 10.1038/s41598-017-10629-y.

Abstract

Pregnancy-associated plasma protein-A2 (PAPP-A2), a metalloproteinase purportedly related to pregnancy, foetal growth and development, has recently been described essential for pre-adult growth. Thus, we measured PAPP-A2 in plasma of a non-pregnant population and determined its associations with lifestyle, anthropometric or biochemical factors. In this cross-sectional study of 387 participants (20-70 years) randomly drawn from registration offices near Berlin, Germany, socio-economic and lifestyle factors were assessed by questionnaires, and anthropometric measures and blood samples were taken by trained personnel. Blood was analysed for standard clinical parameters. PAPP-A2 concentration was measured by ELISA. Generalized linear models were used to estimate associations with anthropometric and biochemical factors adjusted for age, sex, and weight. Adjusted mean PAPP-A2 concentration was slightly higher in women (283 pg/mL) than in men (261 pg/mL, p = 0.05) and positively correlated with age (r = 0.17, p = 0.001). PAPP-A2 concentration was inversely associated with body mass index (-2.7 pg/mL per kg/m2, p = 0.03) and weight (-1.0 pg/mL per kg, p = 0.01) and positively associated with γ-glutamyl transferase (13.6 pg/mL per SD, p = 0.02), aspartate transaminase (18.5 pg/mL per SD, p = 0.002) and lactate dehydrogenase (14.9 pg/mL per SD, p = 0.02). Our results support that PAPP-A2, beyond its established role in early growth and development is relevant in adult metabolisms.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Anthropometry*
  • Berlin / epidemiology
  • Biomarkers*
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Life Style*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Pregnancy
  • Pregnancy-Associated Plasma Protein-A / metabolism*
  • Public Health Surveillance*
  • Risk Factors
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • Biomarkers
  • PAPPA2 protein, human
  • Pregnancy-Associated Plasma Protein-A