Serum dehydroepiandrosterone-sulfate reflects age better than health status, and may increase with cigarette smoking and alcohol drinking in middle-aged men.

Background And Aims: Serum dehydroepiandrosterone- sulfate (DHEAS), the most abundant adrenal steroid hormone, may predict aging status and longevity in humans. The aims of this study are to clarify the fundamental properties of serum DHEAS as a biomarker for health in middle-aged men.

Methods: We investigated correlations of serum DHEAS with age or conventional health indices (body mass index, blood pressure, and 12 serum/blood tests) and associations of serum DHEAS with lifestyle factors (smoking, drinking, exercise, sleep) in 384 healthy men aged 30-49 years, randomly selected from voluntary attendees at a checkup.