Replacement of dehydroepiandrosterone enhances T-lymphocyte insulin binding in postmenopausal women.
OBJECTIVE
To demonstrate bioavailability of 3 weeks of oral micronized DHEA and to delineate changes induced on insulin sensitivity, morphometric indexes, and lipoprotein profiles.


METHODS
Oral micronized DHEa (50 mg/d) was administered in 3-week treatments to 11 postmenopausal women in a prospective, placebo-controlled, randomized, blinded, crossover trial with an interarm washout. After dose (23 hour) serum DHEA, DHEAS, T, and cortisol levels were measured, as were fasting lipoproteins, oral glucose tolerance tests (OGTT), T-lymphocyte insulin binding and degradation, and urine collagen cross-links. Morphometric changes were determined by hydrostatic weighing.


RESULTS
Dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate, DHEA, T, and free T increased up to two times premenopausal levels with treatment. Fasting triglycerides declined; no change in collagen cross-links or morphometric indexes was noted. Oral glucose tolerance test parameters did not change, but both T-lymphocyte insulin binding and degradation increased with DHEA.


CONCLUSIONS
Fifty milligrams per day of oral DHEA gives suprahysiologic androgen levels; 25 mg/d may be more appropriate. Dehydroepiandrosterone enhanced tissue insulin sensitivity and lowered serum triglycerides. Rationale is provided for postmenopausal replacement therapy with this androgen.
Casson
P R
PR
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Tennessee, Memphis, USA.
Faquin
L C
LC
Stentz
F B
FB
Straughn
A B
AB
Andersen
R N
RN
Abraham
G E
GE
Buster
J E
JE
D000368:Aged; D015992:Body Mass Index; D001842:Bone and Bones / Q000378:metabolism; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D003687:Dehydroepiandrosterone / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000097:blood / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D019314:Dehydroepiandrosterone Sulfate; D005260:Female; D005951:Glucose Tolerance Test; D006801:Humans; D007328:Insulin / Q000097:blood*; D008875:Middle Aged; D010919:Placebos; D017698:Postmenopause / Q000502:physiology*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000378:metabolism*; D013739:Testosterone / Q000097:blood; D014280:Triglycerides / Q000097:blood
D007328:Insulin; D010919:Placebos; D014280:Triglycerides; D013739:Testosterone; D003687:Dehydroepiandrosterone; D019314:Dehydroepiandrosterone Sulfate