[Replacement therapy in adrenopause. Dehydroepiandrosterone and aging]

Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) and its sulfated ester DHEAS are the most abundant circulating adrenal steroids but their function remains to be elucidated. DHEAS secretion and serum levels decrease with age and this is parallel to the development of a number of the problems of ageing (immunosenescence, increased incidence of osteoporosis, atherosclerosis and cancer, decrease of cognitive functions and/or well-being). For these reasons a growing interest in replacement of DHEA in elderly people has been developed. The findings from recent studies of replacement of DHEA in elderly are reviewed here. Although we have some positive data about benefit results of this therapy on muscle, bone and well-being, at present it is premature to recommend the routine use of DHEA replacement because most of its aspects remains controversial.