Plasma dehydroepiandrosterone levels during experimental endotoxemia and anti-inflammatory therapy in humans.
OBJECTIVE
To measure the effect of experimental endotoxemia and anti-inflammatory therapy on plasma dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) levels in humans.


METHODS
Controlled, randomized, single-blind, prospective clinical study.


METHODS
Monitored unit in research hospital.


METHODS
Twelve healthy volunteers served as their own controls and were randomized to receive intravenous endotoxin (Escherichia coli) or saline separated by 1 wk. Six were randomized to receive ibuprofen, a cyclooxygenase inhibitor, and six were given placebo.


METHODS
Measurement of vital signs and hormones during a 24-hr period.


RESULTS
All subjects given endotoxin had a significant increase in plasma DHEA, cortisol, and adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) levels (all p = .02). DHEA levels were maximum at 2 hrs and returned to baseline values by 6 hrs. Ibuprofen administration significantly blunted the endotoxin-induced increase in DHEA secretion (p = .001), whereas the increase in cortisol and ACTH was not affected.


CONCLUSIONS
Acute endotoxemia leads to a rise in plasma DHEA levels in humans. Maximum levels of DHEA but not cortisol or ACTH were blunted by ibuprofen, suggesting a different regulation of these synthetic pathways in the adrenal cortex inner zone during acute inflammation.
Bornstein
S R
SR
Pediatric and Reproductive Endocrinology Branch, National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA. bornstes@mail.nih.gov
Wolkersdörfer
G W
GW
Tauchnitz
R
R
Preas
H L
HL
Chrousos
G P
GP
Suffredini
A F
AF
D000328:Adult; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016861:Cyclooxygenase Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003687:Dehydroepiandrosterone / Q000097:blood*; D019446:Endotoxemia / Q000097:blood* / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D007052:Ibuprofen / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D016037:Single-Blind Method
D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; D016861:Cyclooxygenase Inhibitors; D003687:Dehydroepiandrosterone; D007052:Ibuprofen