Dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate is positively correlated with soluble interleukin 2 receptor and soluble intercellular adhesion molecule in systemic lupus erythematosus.

Abstract

To determine whether dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS) is linked with soluble immune mediators in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). DHEAS and various soluble immune mediators were measured by ELISA in the serum of 35 patients with SLE (26 women, 9 men) and in 41 control subjects. DHEAS was lower in patients with SLE compared to controls (male 1.29 +/- 0.32 vs 3.04 +/- 0.33 micrograms/ml, p < 0.001; female 0.75 +/- 0.12 vs 2.16 +/- 0.18 micrograms/ml, p < 0.001). The DHEAS reduction was in part dependent on prior glucocorticosteroid treatment (p < 0.02). After adjustment for multiple comparisons, there was significant negative correlation between steroid dose and DHEAS (RRank = -0.426, p = 0.005), but with none of the soluble immune mediators. No significant difference in the percentage of steroid treated male and female patients was found (p = 0.220). However, there was positive correlation between DHEAS and soluble interleukin 2 receptor in women, but not in men, with SLE [RRank = 0.747 (n = 26, p < 0.0001) vs RRank = -0.1333( n = 9, p = 0.366)] and between DHEAS and soluble intercellular adhesion molecule in women, but not in men, with SLE [RRank = 0.509 (n = 26, p = 0.005) vs RRank = 0.4833 (n = 9, p = 0.094)]. These data demonstrate positive interrelation between DHEAS and soluble immune mediators involved in leukocyte function and leukocyte adhesion only in female patients with SLE.