The Relation Between DHEA, DHEAS and Syndrome X, Cardiovascular Complication in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

Kim, Yong Hyun; Oh, Jeong Heon; Kim, Nan Hee; Choi, Kyung Mook; Kim, Sang Jin; Baik, Sei Hyun; Choi, Dong Seop

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Insulin is known as a major factor that regulates secretion of DHEA and DHEAS. Numerous studies are exist to investigate the relationship between DHEA(S) and insulin resistance. Furthermore, numerous previous studies revealed that insulin resistance plays a major role in the pathogenic relationship between DHEA(S) and type 2 diabetes mellitus. However, number of studies to investigate the difference of levels of DHEA(S) according to the presence of syndrome X in type 2 diabetes mellitus are limited.
METHODS
In type 2 diabetes, aged from 40 to 70 years old, the levels of serum DHEA and DHEAS was compared between the subejcts with or without syndrome X as well as the normal age and sex matched control. Furthermore, correlation between serum DHEA/DHEAS and insulin resistance, and the levels of DHEA/DHEAS according to the cardiovascular complication status was also evaluated.
RESULTS
1. No statistical difference in serum DHEA and DHEAS was observed among the 3 groups. However, the serum DHEA and DHEAS levels were lower in type 2 diabetes with syndrome X and higher in normal control. 2. No correlation was observed between DHEA, DHEAS and insulin resistance factors. 3. No stastistical difference in serum DHEA and DHEAS was observed in type 2 diabetic patients with cardiovascular complications. However, the level of DHEA was lower in the patients with cardiovascular complications. 4. No stastistical difference in serum DHEA and DHEAS was observed according to the presence of cardiovascular complications when analysis was performed in 55 years and younger subjects. 5. The level of DHEA was lower in the presence of cardiovascular complication when only male diabetic subjects were included in the analysis, but the level of DHEAS showed no difference according to the cardiovascular complication status.
CONCLUSION
No statistical difference of the levels of serum OHEA and DHEAS was observed according to the presence of syndrome X in type 2 diabetes patients, However, the level of serum DHEA tended to be lower in the presence of cardiovascular complications. The levels of DHEA in male diabetic subjects were lower in the presence of cardiovascular complication, thus, we suspected that DHEA may play a potential role as one of risk factors of cardiovascular complications in this subgroup.