Lack of effect of dehydroepiandrosterone in obese men

To assess the effects of dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) on weight and body fat mass in young obese men, six obese (body mass index, 31.5 +/- 2.9 (s.e.] men were studied at baseline, after 28 days of placebo administration, and again after 28 days of DHEA (1600 mg/day) administration. Body fat mass was assessed on each occasion by three separate methods: hydrostatic weighing, impedance plethysmography, and skinfold measurements at four body sites. Waist-to-hip ratios were recorded. In addition, tissue sensitivity to insulin was determined using the modified minimal model technique, and serum lipids were assayed. Serum DHEA-sulfate levels rose from 7.4 +/- 1.7 mumol/l at baseline to 39.8 +/- 11.9 mumol/l after DHEA administration (P less than 0.05). Although body fat mass was reduced in two of the six men following DHEA administration, for the group as a whole neither total body weight, body fat mass, or waist-to-hip ratio changed significantly during the study. No change in either tissue insulin sensitivity or serum lipids was observed. These observations suggest that, at a daily dose of 13.4-19.7 mg/kg, short-term DHEA administration does not affect the total weight, body fat mass, fat distribution, insulin sensitivity, or lipid status of obese young men.