Relation between dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate and blood pressure levels in a population-based sample

Endogenous dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS) levels have been reported to be positively related to blood pressure levels, To further analyze this association, we quantified DHEAS in middle-aged subjects (mean age +/- SEM: 57.8 +/- 0.1 years) of a population-based sample (n = 646). DHEAS levels were higher in hypertensive as compared with normotensive individuals (1.26 +/- 0.04 v 1.09 +/- 0.03 mu g/mL, P = .01). After adjustment for age, gender, and body mass index, DHEAS levels were significantly related to systolic blood pressure (P = .01). In addition, in a subgroup of individuals without antihypertensive medication adjusted DHEAS levels were significantly related to systolic and diastolic blood pressure (n = 461; P < .05, both), DHEAS levels were also related to aldosterone (r = 0.15; P = .002) and androstenedione (its main metabolite; r = 0.66; P < .001) but not to renin levels, Like DHEAS, aldosterone, but not androstenedione, was significantly related to blood pressure levels and hypertension status. In a regression analysis that accounted for aldosterone and renin levels, both DHEAS and aldosterone kept their significant relationships with systolic blood pressure levels. Taken together, we observed a consistent positive association between endogenous DHEAS and systolic blood pressure levels that was independent of other, similarly regulated, adrenal steroids. (C) 1999 American Journal of Hypertension, Ltd.