Association of plasma dehydroepiandrosterone-sulfate levels with endothelial function in postmenopausal women with coronary risk factors.
Age-related decline of plasma dehydroepiandrosterone-sulfate (DHEA-S) levels may be associated with the risk of cardiovascular disease in women. We investigated whether plasma DHEA-S levels are related to endothelial function in postmenopausal women with coronary risk factors. One hundred and fifteen postmenopausal women (mean age+/-SD: 57+/-5 years; range: 48-65 years) who underwent measurement of flow-mediated vasodilation (FMD) of the brachial artery using ultrasonography were enrolled. Plasma hormone levels were determined in the morning after a 14-h fast, and the relationship between hormone levels and FMD was analyzed. DHEA-S was significantly correlated with %FMD (r=0.392, p<0.001), while estradiol, total testosterone and cortisol were not. %FMD in the highest quartile of DHEA-S was 1.8-fold higher than that in the lowest quartile (5.3+/-1.3 vs. 2.9+/-2.0 [means+/-SD], p<0.01). Multiple regression analysis revealed that DHEA-S was related to %FMD independent of age, body mass index, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, diabetes mellitus and smoking (beta=0.344, p<0.01), and was itself independent of age, body mass index, systolic blood pressure, total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, fasting plasma glucose and smoking (beta=0.291, p<0.05). In conclusion, plasma DHEA-S levels were weakly but significantly related to endothelial function in postmenopausal women independent of other coronary risk factors, suggesting a protective effect of DHEA on the endothelium.
Akishita
Masahiro
M
Department of Geriatric Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Japan. akishita-tky@umin.ac.jp
Hashimoto
Masayoshi
M
Ohike
Yumiko
Y
Ogawa
Sumito
S
Iijima
Katsuya
K
Eto
Masato
M
Ouchi
Yasuyoshi
Y
D000368:Aged; D000375:Aging / Q000502:physiology; D015415:Biomarkers; D001916:Brachial Artery / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000502:physiology; D003327:Coronary Disease / Q000097:blood* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003625:Data Collection; D003627:Data Interpretation, Statistical; D019314:Dehydroepiandrosterone Sulfate / Q000097:blood*; D004730:Endothelium, Vascular / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D012739:Gonadal Steroid Hormones / Q000097:blood; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009131:Muscle, Smooth, Vascular / Q000502:physiology; D017698:Postmenopause / Q000502:physiology*; D012307:Risk Factors; D014463:Ultrasonography
D015415:Biomarkers; D012739:Gonadal Steroid Hormones; D019314:Dehydroepiandrosterone Sulfate