Pregnancy-associated plasma protein-A（PAPP-A） has been involved in the atherosclerotic process through regulation of local expression of IGF-1 that mediates the activation of the phosphatidylinositol-3（PI3-K ） and Akt kinase（Akt ） signaling cascades which lead to constitutive nitric oxide formation,with its attending vasodilator,antiplatelet and insulin-sensitizing actions.In addition,IGF-1 may decreased cholesterol efflux through reductions of expression in ABCA1 and SR-B1 by the PI3-K/Akt signaling...
