title: Effects of dehydroepiandrosterone supplementation during stressful military training: a randomized, controlled, double-blind field study.
abstract: Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) and DHEA sulfate (DHEAS) are anabolic prehormones involved in the synthesis of testosterone. Both have been shown to exert neuroprotective effects during stress. In this randomized, controlled, double-blind field study, we examined the effects of a 12-day DHEA regimen on stress indices in military men undergoing survival training. Forty-eight men were randomized to either a DHEA treatment group or placebo control group. The treatment group received 50 mg of oral DHEA supplementation daily for 5 days during classroom training followed by 7 days of 75 mg during stressful field operations. Control subjects received identical placebo pills. Salivary assays (DHEA[S], testosterone, and cortisol) were conducted at four time points: distal pre-stress (T1), proximal pre-stress (T2), mock-captivity stress (T3), and 24 h recovery (T4). Subjective distress was also assessed at T1, T3, and T4. As expected, DHEA treatment resulted in higher salivary concentrations of DHEA and DHEAS during daily living, mock-captivity stress, and recovery. Similar patterns were observed for salivary markers of anabolic balance: DHEA/cortisol, DHEAS/cortisol, and testosterone/cortisol concentration ratios. Despite notable time effects, no group differences emerged for subjective distress. A brief, low dose DHEA regimen yielded large increases in salivary DHEA(S) concentrations and enhanced anabolic balance throughout sustained military stress. These physiological changes did not extrapolate to subjective distress.
authors.affiliation: Operational Stress and Resilience Program, Aeromedical Research Directorate, Naval Aerospace Medical Research Laboratory, Pensacola, FL 32508, USA. marc.taylor@med.navy.mil
authors.forename: Marcus K
authors.initials: MK
authors.lastname: Taylor
authors.forename: Genieleah A
authors.initials: GA
authors.lastname: Padilla
authors.forename: Katherine E
authors.initials: KE
authors.lastname: Stanfill
authors.forename: Amanda E
authors.initials: AE
authors.lastname: Markham
authors.forename: Jasmine Y
authors.initials: JY
authors.lastname: Khosravi
authors.forename: Michael D Dial
authors.initials: MD
authors.lastname: Ward
authors.forename: Matthew M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Koehler
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003687:Dehydroepiandrosterone / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D004213:Dissociative Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D008889:Military Personnel; D012463:Saliva / Q000737:chemistry; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology*; D013534:Survival / Q000523:psychology; D013739:Testosterone / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D013739:Testosterone; D003687:Dehydroepiandrosterone; D006854:Hydrocortisone