Serum dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate, testosterone, and biochemical markers of bone turnover in elderly Thai men

The most abundant human steroid, dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS), may have a multitude of beneficial effects, but declines with age. It is unclear whether DHEAS deficiency is an important factor contributing to increased bone resorption and impaired bone formation or not that leads to their bone loss. Thus, we investigated serum DHEAS, testosterone, osteocalcin (N-MID osteocalcin) and C-terminal telopeptides (beta-CrossLaps) in 121 healthy Thai males without bone diseases. Thirty-nine males (mean age 31.5 +/- 8.2, range 23-42 years) were recruited as the normal adult group and 82 males (mean age 61.2 +/- 7.0, range 52-77 years) were assigned as the elderly group. DHEAS levels were higher in the adult group compared with the elderly subjects (296.8 +/- 93.4 vs 172.6 +/- 99.8 microg/dL, p < 0.0001). Serum osteocalcin concentrations were also higher in the adult group compared with the elderly males (27.9 +/- 11.1 vs 23.2 +/- 7.9 ng/ml, p = 0.0091). However, serum testosterone and C-terminal telopeptides levels were not significantly different between the two groups. We concluded that low DHEAS concentrations are commonly encountered in elderly males and may relate to low osteocalcin levels due to the osteoblast stimulation effects of DHEAS. These findings may be implicated in the treatment of osteoporosis in elderly men by using DHEAS.