title: Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) replacement decreases insulin resistance and lowers inflammatory cytokines in aging humans.
abstract: Plasma dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) decreases ~80% between ages 25 and 75 yr. In a preliminary study, we found that 6 mo of DHEA replacement improved insulin action in elderly individuals. The purpose of the present larger, randomized double-blind study was to determine whether a longer period of DHEA replacement improves glucose tolerance. Fifty-seven men and 68 women aged 65 to 75 yr were randomly assigned to 50 mg DHEA or placebo once daily. Year one was a randomized, double blind trial. Year 2 was an open label continuation. DHEA replacement improved glucose tolerance in participants who had abnormal GT initially, reduced plasma triglycerides, and the inflammatory cytokines IL6 and TNFα.
authors.affiliation: Division of Geriatrics and Nutritional Sciences, Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA.
authors.forename: Edward P
authors.initials: EP
authors.lastname: Weiss
authors.forename: Dennis T
authors.initials: DT
authors.lastname: Villareal
authors.forename: Luigi
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Fontana
authors.forename: Dong-Ho
authors.initials: DH
authors.lastname: Han
authors.forename: John O
authors.initials: JO
authors.lastname: Holloszy
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000375:Aging / Q000502:physiology*; D000818:Animals; D001774:Blood Chemical Analysis; D016207:Cytokines / Q000276:immunology*; D003687:Dehydroepiandrosterone / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000097:blood; D002149:Energy Intake; D015444:Exercise; D005260:Female; D005951:Glucose Tolerance Test; D006801:Humans; D007249:Inflammation / Q000276:immunology*; D007333:Insulin Resistance / Q000502:physiology*; D008297:Male; D010919:Placebos; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
chemical_list: D016207:Cytokines; D010919:Placebos; D003687:Dehydroepiandrosterone