Involvement of serum dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate in erythropoietic activity

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.