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 HD and 46 healthy subjects (HS). In HD, a significantly lower plasma DHEA-S concentration (2.5+/-0.2 vs. 4.7+/-0.4 micromol/L respectively; p = 0.002) but significantly higher plasma adiponectin level (15.0+/-0.7 vs. 8.7+/-0.8 microg/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 DHEA-S level is associated with increased adiponectinemia in uremic patients.