Involvement of serum dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate in erythropoietic activity

Abstract

Purpose The aim of the present study was to determine how age-related decreases in serum dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS) levels affect various physiological processes. Methods We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of patients in whom serum DHEAS levels were measured in our department and assessed the relationships between serum DHEAS levels and various patient characteristics. Results Among the 149 patients included in our analysis (mean age: 52.7 ± 17.6 years, range: 15–84 years), 54 (36.2%) were men. Serum DHEAS levels inversely correlated with age in men (R = −0.810, p < .01) and to a lesser extent in women (R = −0.391, p < .01). Of note, there were significant positive associations between DHEAS levels and hemoglobin (R = 0.317, p ≤ .01) and hematocrit (R = 0.324, p ≤ .01) levels, which were observed in men, but not in women. Conclusions Our study suggests that reduced DHEAS secretion inhibits erythropoietic activity in aging men, perhaps owing to the erythropoietic androgenic actions of DHEAS. Importantly, it suggests that the age-associated decline in DHEAS secretion might decrease erythropoietic activity in aging men. It is also possible that the adrenal cortex, the source of DHEAS, is dysfunctional in anemic men.