A total of 419 Japanese individuals (208 males and 211 females) were recruited from Tokushima University Hospital, Japan. In all subjects, maximum intima–media thickness (max-IMT) in all carotid arteries, and mean-IMT and mean blood flow volume (BFV) in the common carotid arteries (CCA) were measured by ultrasonography; endothelial function was assessed by flow-mediated vasodilation of the brachial artery ( % FMD). Serum DHEAS and classical cardiovascular risk factors were also evaluated. Statistical significance was determined by multiple regression analysis to elucidate independent determinants of max-IMT, mean-IMT, mean CCA-BFV, and % FMD.
Serum DHEAS levels were higher in males than in females. Multiple regression analysis revealed that DHEAS was an independent negative factor for both max-IMT and mean-IMT in males but not in females. In contrast, DHEAS was the sole positive factor for mean CCA-BFV in females but not in males. In addition, there was no significant relationship between % FMD and DHEAS regardless of sex and other confounding factors.
Although DHEAS is not involved in endothelial function, DHEAS is inversely associated with sex-dependent diverse carotid atherosclerosis such as increased max-IMT and mean-IMT in males and decreased CCA-BFV in females.