The effect of DHEA given chronically to Zucker rats.
Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) has been reported to exert antiglucocorticoid activity. When administered to obese, hypercorticosteronemic Zucker rats, it causes a diminution of food intake and a reduction in their rate of weight gain. This experiment was conducted to evaluate whether this biologic effect could be ascribed to chronic adrenal insufficiency. Obese and lean Zucker rats were treated with DHEA as a food supplement for 28 days. Upon sacrifice, organ weights and serum chemistries were measured, along with neurotransmitter levels in regions of the hypothalamus. Results showed that although the obese animals gained weight more slowly, had lower insulin levels, and ate less, their serum glucose, corticosterone, and ACTH levels were not different from control. Hypothalamic neurotransmitters in the obese rat were unaffected by chronic DHEA treatment. We concluded that, although DHEA clearly affects Zucker weight gain, it does not induce chronic adrenal insufficiency.
Svec
F
F
Section of Endocrinology, Louisiana State University Medical Center, New Orleans 70112, USA.
Hilton
C W
CW
Wright
B
B
Browne
E
E
Porter
J R
JR
D000311:Adrenal Glands / Q000187:drug effects*; D000324:Adrenocorticotropic Hormone / Q000097:blood; D000818:Animals; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000032:analysis; D003345:Corticosterone / Q000097:blood*; D003687:Dehydroepiandrosterone / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004435:Eating / Q000187:drug effects; D005260:Female; D006897:Hydroxyindoleacetic Acid / Q000032:analysis; D007031:Hypothalamus / Q000737:chemistry*; D007328:Insulin / Q000097:blood; D009638:Norepinephrine / Q000032:analysis*; D009765:Obesity; D009929:Organ Size / Q000187:drug effects; D010456:Peptides, Cyclic / Q000097:blood; D010879:Piperazines / Q000097:blood; D051381:Rats; D011924:Rats, Zucker; D012701:Serotonin / Q000032:analysis; D015430:Weight Gain / Q000187:drug effects
D001786:Blood Glucose; D007328:Insulin; D010456:Peptides, Cyclic; D010879:Piperazines; D012701:Serotonin; D003687:Dehydroepiandrosterone; D006897:Hydroxyindoleacetic Acid; D000324:Adrenocorticotropic Hormone; C015924:histidyl-proline diketopiperazine; D003345:Corticosterone; D009638:Norepinephrine