DHEA Selected Research
April 12, 2011 by Dr. Marc Darrow, M.D.
Filed under DHEA
Relationship between serum sex steroids and Aging Male Symptoms score and International Index of Erectile Function.
“CONCLUSIONS: Although aging male symptoms and the effects of hormonal changes on these symptoms have been controversial, DHEA-S and E(2) (Estradiol) might play some important roles in the symptoms of aging men.”
Basar MM, Aydin G, Mert HC, Keles I, Caglayan O, Orkun S, Batislam E. Relationship between serum sex steroids and Aging Male Symptoms score and International Index of Erectile Function. Urology. 2005 Sep;66(3):597-601.
Dehydroepiandrosterone treatment in the aging male–what should the urologist know?
“CONCLUSION: Although long-term clinical trials (applying the standards of evidence-based methods) are not available at present, the consistency of the data and the extensive practical experience may justify the use of DHEA in aging men given the rules of classical endocrinology are thoroughly followed including diagnosis based on clinical picture and biochemical evidence, compliance to periodic evaluations, and individual dose adjustment to maintain serum concentrations in the physiological range of young males. Being one among other important hormonal factors, DHEA can delay and correct age-related disorders only to a certain degree
Saad F, Hoesl CE, Oettel M, Fauteck JD, Rommler A. Dehydroepiandrosterone treatment in the aging male–what should the urologist know? Eur Urol. 2005 Nov;48(5):724-33; discussion 733. Epub 2005 Jul 18.
Effects of replacement dose of dehydroepiandrosterone in men and women of advancing age.
Morales AJ, Nolan JJ, Nelson JC, Yen SS. Effects of replacement dose of dehydroepiandrosterone in men and women of advancing age. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 1994 Jun;78(6):1360-7.
Study: The researchers sought to test the effect of Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) and DHEA sulfate (DS) replacement on aging.
Noted the researchers: “…observations together with improvement of physical and psychological well-being in both genders and the absence of side-effects constitute the first demonstration of novel effects of DHEA replacement in age-advanced men and women.”
Activation of immune function by dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) in age-advanced men.
Khorram O, Vu L, Yen SS. J Gerontol A. Activation of immune function by dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) in age-advanced men. Biol Sci Med Sci 1997 Jan;52(1):M1-7
Study: the researchers sought to study DHEA’s effect on the human immune system.
The researchers stated: “Administration of oral DHEA at a daily dose of 50 mg to age-advanced men with low serum DHEA-S levels significantly activated immune function. While extended studies are required, our findings suggest potential therapeutic benefits of DHEA in immunodeficient states.”
Coronary Disease
Dehydroepiandrosterone and coronary atherosclerosis
Herrington DM. Dehydroepiandrosterone and coronary atherosclerosis. Ann N Y Acad Sci 1995 Dec 29;774:271-80.
Study: Researchers examined “Tissue culture, animal model, and epidemiologic studies.”
The researchers stated: (DHEA) may inhibit atherosclerosis through its potent antiproliferative effects. Data suggest that low plasma levels of DHEA may facilitate, and high levels may retard, the development of coronary atherosclerosis and coronary allograft vasculopathy.
Dehydroepiandrosterone inhibits human platelet aggregation in vitro and in vivo
Jesse RL, Loesser K, Eich DM, et al. Dehydroepiandrosterone inhibits human platelet aggregation in vitro and in vivo. Ann N Y Acad Sci 1995 Dec 29;774:281-90.
Interperation: Researchers sought to measure the effects of DHEA’s cardioprotective actions.
The researchers noted: “Findings suggest that DHEA retards platelet aggregation in humans. Inhibition of platelet activity by DHEA may contribute to the putative antiatherogenic and cardioprotective effects of DHEA.”
Dehydroepiandrosterone treatment of midlife dysthymia
Schmidt PJ, Danaceau MA, et al. Dehydroepiandrosterone treatment of midlife dysthymia. Bloch M, Biol Psychiatry 1999 Jun 15;45(12):1533-41.
Study: The researchers noted a “significant response was seen after 3 weeks of treatment on 90 mg per day. The symptoms that improved most significantly were anhedonia, loss of energy, lack of motivation, emotional “numbness,” sadness, inability to cope, and worry. This pilot study suggests that dehydroepiandrosterone is an effective treatment for midlife-onset dysthymia.”
Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) increases production and release of Alzheimer’s amyloid precursor protein.
Danenboerg HD, Haring R, Fisher A, et al. Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) increases production and release of Alzheimer’s amyloid precursor protein. Life Sci 1996;59(19):1651-7.
Study: The researchers noted: DHEA significantly declines with advanced age. “We propose that the age-associated decline in DHEA levels may be related to the pathological APP metabolism observed in Alzheimer’s disease.”
DHEA administration increases rapid eye movement sleep and EEG power in the sigma frequency range
Friess E, Trachsel L, Guldner J, et al. DHEA administration increases rapid eye movement sleep and EEG power in the sigma frequency range. Am J Physiol 1995 Jan;268(1 Pt 1):E107-13.
Study: “Investigated was the effects of a single oral dose of DHEA (500 mg) on sleep stages, sleep stage-specific electroencephalogram (EEG) power spectra, and concurrent hormone secretion in 10 healthy young men. DHEA administration induced a significant increase in rapid eye movement (REM) sleep, whereas all other sleep variables remained unchanged compared with the placebo condition. Because REM sleep has been implicated in memory storage, its augmentation in the present study suggests the potential clinical usefulness of DHEA in age-related dementia.”
Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) treatment of depression
Wolkowitz OM, Reus VI, Roberts E, et al. Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) treatment of depression. Biol Psychiatry 1997 Feb 1;41(3):311-8
Study: Researchers looked at “six middle-aged and elderly patients with major depression,” and increased their DHEA levels to those “observed in younger healthy individuals.”
The researchers said: “Depression ratings, as well as aspects of memory performance significantly improved. These preliminary data suggest DHEA may have antidepressant and pro-memory effects and should encourage double-blind trials in depressed patients.”
Inflammatory Disease
van Vollenhoven RF, Morabito LM, Engleman EG, et al. Treatment of systemic lupus erythematosus with dehydroepiandrosterone: 50 patients treated up to 12 months. J Rheumatol 1998 Feb;25(2):285-9
Study: Researchers study whether long-term therapy (up to 1 year) with DHEA is beneficial in patients with mild to moderate systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).
The researchers stated: “DHEA was well tolerated and appeared clinically beneficial, with the benefits sustained for at least one year in those patients who maintained therapy.”
Menopausal
Genazzani AD, Stomati M, Strucchi C, et al. Oral dehydroepiandrosterone supplementation modulates spontaneous and growth hormone-releasing hormone-induced growth hormone and insulin-like growth factor-1 secretion in early and late postmenopausal women. Fertil Steril 2001 Aug;76(2):241-8.
Study: The researchers sought to see if DHEA effected lean and obese post-menopausal women differently. The results suggested that lean and obese women benefitted equally.
The researchers noted: “This suggests that DHEA is more than a more than a simple “diet supplement” or “anti-aging product”; rather it should be considered an effective hormonal replacement treatment.”
Abdominal Fat
Effect of DHEA on abdominal fat and insulin action in elderly women and men: a randomized controlled trial.
Villareal DT, Holloszy JO. Effect of DHEA on abdominal fat and insulin action in elderly women and men: a randomized controlled trial. JAMA. 2004 Nov 10;292(18):2243-8.
“CONCLUSION: DHEA replacement could play a role in prevention and treatment of the metabolic syndrome associated with abdominal obesity.”
DHEA, Bone Mineral Density, Older Adults
Researchers writing in the medical journal The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism, say that DHEA replacement therapy for one year improved hip Bone Mineral Density in older adults and spine Bone Mineral Density in older women.
