Dehydroepiandrosterone Sulfate and Growth Axis Hormones in Patients with Ischemic Heart Disease

Abstract

Background: The present study aimed to determine whether decreases in dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEA-S) and growth axis components precede cardiovascular disease or are a consequence of it. Methods: We measured the concentrations in serum of DHEA-S, ACTH, cortisol, growth hormone, insulin-like growth factor-1 and insulin-like growth factor-binding protein-3 in 30 male controls and also in 37 male patients on days 0, 2, 5, 7 and 9 after suffering a myocardial infarction (MI). Results: There was no significant variation in any of these parameters between the controls and the patients on day 0. However, we found a significant (p < 0.001) reduction in the DHEA-S concentrations of the patients between day 0 and subsequent days (days 2, 5, 7and 9). Conclusion: We conclude that the decrease in DHEA-S in patients with MI is a consequence and not a cause of the disease.