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Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) and aging
1Centre de Gérontologie, Hôpital Fernand Widal, 200 Rue du Faubourg Saint-Denis, 75475 Paris, Cedex 10, France.
Archives of Gerontology and Geriatrics
|May 1, 1997
Summary
Dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS) is a common hormone that declines with age. Research suggests DHEA may prevent age-related diseases, but human studies on its effects are limited and require further confirmation.
Area of Science:
- Endocrinology
- Gerontology
- Metabolic Research
Background:
- Dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS) is the most abundant human steroid hormone, convertible to dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA).
- A biological function for DHEAS and DHEA remains undefined.
- DHEA's age-related decline and potential preventive effects on diseases like heart disease, cognitive impairment, and osteoporosis are noted in human epidemiological and animal studies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the biological function of DHEAS and DHEA.
- To evaluate the effects of oral DHEA supplementation in humans, particularly concerning age-related diseases.
- To assess the translatability of animal study findings on DHEA to human physiology.
Main Methods:
- Review of epidemiological studies in humans.
- Analysis of animal studies on DHEA's protective effects.
- Examination of limited human studies on oral DHEA supplementation, focusing on metabolic effects.
Main Results:
- Human epidemiological and animal studies suggest DHEA may prevent age-related illnesses.
- Adrenal DHEA secretion is primate-specific, limiting direct extrapolation from animal models.
- Human studies on oral DHEA supplementation show no significant side-effects or changes in body weight, but yield conflicting results on body composition and lipids, with no effect on insulin tolerance. One study indicated improved well-being, requiring confirmation.
Conclusions:
- The precise biological function of DHEAS and DHEA requires further elucidation.
- While animal studies suggest benefits, the effects of DHEA supplementation in humans, particularly for age-related diseases, are not well-established.
- Further rigorous clinical trials are necessary to confirm the potential benefits of DHEA supplementation on well-being and other age-related conditions in humans.