title: Metabolism and actions of dehydroepiandrosterone in humans.
abstract: Dehydroepiandrosterone (3 beta-hydroxy-5-androsten-17-one; DHA) and DHA-sulfate are abundantly produced adrenal steroids, whose serum concentrations exceed those of other adrenal steroids. Serum concentrations of DHA and DHA-sulfate, in contrast to other adrenal steroids, exhibit a progressive age-related decline. The mechanism(s) for this selective decline in serum DHA and DHA-sulfate levels and the biologic function of these steroids remain unknown. Studies examining insulin's regulation of adrenal androgens are reviewed. These studies show that experimentally-induced hyperinsulinemia lowers serum DHA and DHA-sulfate levels, and suggest that insulin reduces serum concentrations of these steroids by inhibiting production rather than by increasing clearance. Studies examining the actions of short-term pharmacologic DHA administration to young nonobese and obese men are also reviewed. These studies suggest that DHA may possess hypolipidemic and, possibly, anti-obesity properties. They have failed, however, to demonstrate any effect of DHA on tissue insulin sensitivity.
authors.affiliation: Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Medical College of Virginia/Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond 23298-0111.
authors.forename: J E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Nestler
authors.forename: J N
authors.initials: JN
authors.lastname: Clore
authors.forename: W G
authors.initials: WG
authors.lastname: Blackard
mesh_terms: D001055:Apolipoproteins B / Q000378:metabolism; D001823:Body Composition; D001835:Body Weight; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000097:blood; D003687:Dehydroepiandrosterone / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000378:metabolism*; D019314:Dehydroepiandrosterone Sulfate; D006801:Humans; D006946:Hyperinsulinism / Q000378:metabolism; D007328:Insulin / Q000502:physiology; D008055:Lipids / Q000097:blood; D011374:Progesterone / Q000097:blood; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013431:Sulfates / Q000378:metabolism; D013739:Testosterone / Q000097:blood
chemical_list: D001055:Apolipoproteins B; D007328:Insulin; D008055:Lipids; D013431:Sulfates; D013739:Testosterone; D003687:Dehydroepiandrosterone; D011374:Progesterone; D019314:Dehydroepiandrosterone Sulfate; D002784:Cholesterol