Low plasma dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate level and its relationship to adiponectin in hemodialysis patients

The aim of the present study was to assess the relationship between plasma DHEA-S and adiponectin concentrations in hemodialyses patients (HD). Plasma adiponectin, DHEA-S, cholesterol, and albumin levels were estimated in 94 HE) and 46 healthy subjects (HS). In HD, a significantly lower plasma DHEA-S concentration (2.5 +/- 0.2 vs. 4.7 +/- 0.4 mu mol/L respectively; p=0.002) but significantly higher plasma adiponectin level (15.0 +/- 0.7 vs. 8.7 +/- 0.8 mu g/mL respectively; p=0.004) than in HS were found. Only in uremic patients was a significant negative correlation found between plasma adiponectin and DHEA-S concentrations (tau=-0.210; p=0.001). Decreased plasma BHEA-S level is associated with increased adiponectinemia in uremic patients.