Effect of dehydroepiandrosterone treatment on liver metabolism in rats

1. Administration of the 17-ketosteroid, dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), to rats results in lowered body weight. 2. A number of changes are seen in livers of treated rats. 3. These include higher liver weights and DNA, RNA and/or protein content, but lowered lipid and glycogen levels. 4. Activities of a number of liver enzymes involved in lipid and carbohydrate metabolism are altered by treatment. 5. In addition, net mitochondrial respiration is elevated by DHEA treatment. 6. Some of these findings may explain DHEA's antiobesity effect.