Dehydroepiandrosterone DHEA:
Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) is a multi-functional steroid that has been implicated in a broad range of biological effects in humans and other mammals. Together with its sulfate ester (DHEA-S), it is the most abundant steroid in humans. DHEA is produced by adrenal glands, but also sythesized de novo in the brain. It acts on the androgen receptor both directly and through its metabolites, which include androstenediol and androstendione, which can undergo further conversion to produce the androgen testosterone and the estrogens estrone and estradiol. DHEA is also a potent sigma-1 agonist. It is considered a neurosteroid.
Synonyms and brand names
Synonyms for dehydroepiandrosterone are:
3-beta-Hydroxy-5-androsten-17-one, 3.beta.-Hydroxyandrost-5-en-17-one, 3beta-hydroxy-5-androsten-17-one, 3beta-hydroxy-androst-5-en-17-one, 3beta-Hydroxy-D5-androsten-17-one, 3beta-Hydroxyandrost-5-en-17-one, 3beta-Hydroxyandrost-5-ene-17-one, 3-beta-hydroxy-etioallocholan-5-ene-17-one , 5-Androsten-3beta-ol-17-one,
Brand names for DHEA include Prastera, Prasterone, Fidelin and Fluasterone. Supplement versions are manufactured from wild Mexican yam.[citation
Dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate:
Dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS) is the sulfated version of DHEA. This conversion is reversibly catalyzed by sulfotransferase (SULT2A1) primarily in the adrenals, the liver, and small intestine. In the blood, most DHEA is found as DHEAS with levels that are about 300 times higher than those of free DHEA. Orally ingested DHEA is converted to its sulfate when passing through intestines and liver. Whereas DHEA levels naturally reach their peak in the early morning hours, DHEAS levels show no diurnal variation. From a practical point of view, measurement of DHEAS is preferable to DHEA, as levels are more stable.
DHEA is produced from cholesterol through two cytochrome P450 enzymes. Cholesterol is converted to pregnenolone by the enzyme P450 scc (side chain cleavage); then another enzyme, CYP17A1, converts pregnenolone to 17α-Hydroxypregnenolone and then to DHEA.
DHEA can be understood as a prohormone for the sex steroids. DHEAS may be viewed as buffer and reservoir. As most DHEA is produced by the zona reticularis of the adrenal, it is argued that there is a role in the immune and stress response.[who?]
As almost all DHEA is derived from the adrenal glands, blood measurements of DHEAS/DHEA are useful to detect excess adrenal activity as seen in adrenal cancer or hyperplasia, including certain forms of congenital adrenal hyperplasia. Women with polycystic ovary syndrome tend to have elevated levels of DHEAS.
Studies have shown that DHEA is useful in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus. An application of the evidence was discussed by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in 2001 and is available online. This review also shows that cholesterol and other serum lipids decrease with the use of DHEA (mainly a decrease in HDL-C and triglycerides can be expected in women, p110).
DHEA supplementation has been studied as a treatment for Alzheimer's disease, but was found to be ineffective. Some small placebo-controlled randomized clinical trial studies have found long-term supplementation to improve mood and relieve depression or to decrease insulin resistance. However, a larger placebo-controlled randomized clinical trial reported in the New England Journal of Medicine in 2006 found that DHEA supplementation in elderly men and women had no beneficial effects on body composition, physical performance, insulin sensitivity, or quality of life.
DHEA supplements are sometimes used as muscle-building or performance-enhancing drugs by athletes. However, a randomized placebo-controlled trial found that DHEA supplementation had no effect on lean body mass, strength, or testosterone levels.
A 1986 study found that a higher level of endogenous DHEA, as determined by a single measurement, correlated with a lower risk of death or cardiovascular disease. However, a more recent 2006 study found no correlation between DHEA levels and risk of cardiovascular disease or death in men. A 2007 study found the DHEA restored oxidative balance in diabetic patients, reducing tissue levels of pentosidine—a biomarker for advanced glycation endproducts.
A 2005 study, measured serum DHEA in 206 men with type-2 diabetes, and found an inverse relationship between serum DHEA and carotid atherosclerosis in men. The authors say the study "supports the notion that DHEA, which is sold in increasing amount as a food supplement, is atheroprotective in humans, and that androgen replacement therapy should be considered for men with hypogonadism.
A 2006 study supplemented DHEA to men of average 65 years of age, and found that the men experienced significant increases in testosterone and cGMP (Cyclic guanosine monophosphate), and significant decreases in low-density liprotein (LDL). The authors say that the "findings...suggest that chronic DHEA supplementation would exert antiatherogenic effects, particularly in elderly subjects who display low circulating levels of this hormone.
A 2008 study in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society, June 2008, measured serum DHEA in 940 men and women ranging from age 21 to 88, following them from 1978 until 2005. The researches found that low levels of DHEA-s showed a significant association with shorter lifespan and that higher DHEA-s levels are a "strong predictor" of longevity in men, even after adjusting for age, blood pressure, and plasma glucose. No relationship was found between serum DHEA and longevity for women during the study period. The study did not find a significant difference in longevity until the 15-year follow-up point, which the researchers note may explain why some past research that followed men for less duration found no relationship.
Dhea Increasing endogenous production:
Regular exercise is known to increase DHEA production in the body. Caloric restriction has also been shown to increase DHEA in primates. Some theorize that the increase in endogenous DHEA brought about by caloric restriction is partially responsible for the longer life expectancy known to be associated with caloric restriction.
DHEA and cancer:
Between 1972 and 1997, more than 4000 publications worldwide DHEA published until 1991 many studies demonstrated the beneficial effects against various types of cancer, arteriosclerosis, weight reduction and prolonged life span in animals. From 1994, it was mainly the effect in humans explored and revealed comparable results so far.
In the United States and other countries, DHEA is already widely marketed and partially described as a miracle cure. It is from the mostly very positive slip publications that DHEA-GABEN die Simmung improve the sexual activity and increase readiness, stress hormones counteract the muscle condition maintained, strengthen the immune system and cancer and heart disease risk reduction. Yes even against AIDS, osteoporosis and Alzheimer DHEA should be effective.
DHEA is also closely related to brain neurons against age-related degenerative processes such as Alzheimer's coverage. Not only that such degenerative processes most likely to occur if the DHEA levels are low but the concentration of DHEA in the brain is far higher than in blood. Dr. E. Roberts is a specialist in this field of research. He found that small amounts of DHEA enough to count the number of nerve cells to increase the number of their contacts with others to increase their differentiation and in cell cultures anzuregen.DHEA is also found to be the long-term memory in mice trained to improve. DHEA may be a similar role to play in the human brain.
One of the major publications came from Mohammed Kalimi and William Regelson 1990: "The biological role of DHEA" in the 24 chapters from scientists around the world its findings regarding the potentially most important messenger substance DHEA present. These are impressive. In the preface the editor, you can read:
Although DHEA is currently being tested in human tumors, we do not yet know whether the effects in humans are similar.
This must be said that mice and rats for a long time as the test objects from the studies in humans were used. The results so far have been mostly similar or identical
DHEA helps to bacteria and viruses, including HIV:
An infection with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV-1) usually does not lead to a full-blown AIDS, except after a period of latency. Certain factors have contributed to the activation of the virus. These factors include antigens, mitogen and cytokines such as tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha). Some experts believe that a state of inflammation is required for the activation and progression of HIV after full battle with AIDS. If DHEA has potent anti-inflammatory properties, it should be of great interest in HIV-infected patients, because high levels of DHEA might contribute to prevent the activation of the virus. Although based on only partial evidence that the counseling HIV patients should increase their DHEA as high as possible appears to be sound.
Indeed, experience has shown that DHEA and its synthetic analogs are able to produce partial inhibition of HIV replication. One study discovered that a certain analog of DHEA, IM28, had a somewhat higher activity against HIV replication as DHEA, but at a price: He was more toxic than DHEA. The mechanism of DHEA's anti-virus action is not completely understood, but its antioxidant properties (perhaps from the estrogenic metabolites) and their effects on the metabolic enzymes are probably part of the statement.
DHEA hormone research:
Another interesting study to investigate the combined use of DHEA and melatonin was in Korea. He studied the effects of DHEA, melatonin, and the combination of DHEA and melatonin on the release of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) with the mouse macrophages in the presence of the anthrax toxin, which the anthrax bacteria. The release of inflammatory cytokines such as TNF-alpha is known to play a central role in the development of anthrax. The authors found that DHEA significantly inhibited the anthrax toxin-induced production of TNF-alpha; melatonin was also effective. The combination of DHEA with melatonin, but did not work better than single therapies.
Simultaneously with the study of cancer effect of DHEA has been the effect of DHEA on genetically obese mice were examined. Although the DHEA-treated mice ate normally, they remained thin. And lived longer than control mice. In another experiment it was found that even middle-aged fat rats lost weight if you are using DHEA-supplemented diet was fed. Diabetes, a typical consequence of obesity, has also been a dramatic return right
Female hormones and DHEA:
DHEA is the main substance of the sex hormones, and is converted into androgens (male hormones) and estrogens (female hormone). DHEA also affects the production of insulin growth factor-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1). IGF-1 is a "translator", which makes it possible that in the body, for example, DAS (HGH) (see below) can exploit.
DHEA is a sex hormones:
As a precursor steroid hormones of the adrenal gland, they are in the target organs and tissues as a function of the corresponding enzymes in androgens (male sex hormones) and estrogens (female sex hormones) converted. Approx. 50% of total androgens in men are from these two precursors formed in women around. 75%. The liver converts DHEA to DHEAS ingested in order.
DHEA as antioxidant products:
Furthermore, DHEA stimulates the activity of the antioxidant enzyme catalase in the liver, an enzyme, the resulting reduction in substance H2O2 (hydrogen peroxide; cell poison) degrades. Also, the whole ripening (to stimulate the formation of mRNA of enzyme genes) of the peroxisomes (Zellorganelle eg: the liver cells), containing the catalase is encouraged. [Mol Pharmacol. 50: 67-74 (1996)]
That in the United States authorized DHEA supplements could be substitutive in women with adrenal weakness to improve the well-being, and libido are: A placebo-controlled German study showed a 24 women, dass 50 mg / day DHEA dying libido and sexual Zufriedenheitsignifikant increased. (New England Journal of Medicine)
DHEA improved obviously Reepithelialisierung in patients with burns, with autologous skin grafts
were treated. In the placebo-controlled study with 63 patients led 10mg/kg intravenous DHEA significantly improved Reepithelialisierung
One week postoperatively.
Studies in America Dheas:
The researchers of the National Institute of Mental Health in the U.S. Rockville / Maryland-treated men and 46 women. They were given either six weeks, 90 mg DHEA daily or a dummy (placebo).
As the American trade journal "Archives of General Psychiatry" in March 2005 reported that had the depressive symptoms only in the DHEA group improved significantly. Side effects occurred in this time of ingestion of DHEA did not give up.
In the U.S., DHEA is a free-sale nutritional supplements. In Germany you can DHEA to a doctor's prescription through a pharmacy or import through the mail order concern.
DHEA hormone production:
The production of DHEA in the body falls from approx. 30mg of 20 years to less than 6 mg per day at the age of 80. According to Dr. W. Regelson, Medical College Virginia, DHEA is one of the best biochemical marker for the chronological age. Some people take DHEA during the life by 95% from the largest decrease in the important biochemical substances that were previously known.
In animal studies DHEA prolonged the lives of rodents by 50%. The animals not only lived longer, looked younger. The gray-haired control animals were slightly different from the smooth black-DHEA-treated animals can be distinguished.
DHEA and cardiac function:
HEAS levels directly correlate with mortality (mortality) in humans.
in a 12-year study of 240 men aged 50 to 79 years, researchers found that DHEAS level is inversely proportional to mortality are, whether heart attack or other causes which have led to the death. A 1mg/Liter-Anstieg in DHEAS concentration corresponded to 48% reduction in mortality a heart attack. Those with higher blood DHEAS levels lived longer and had a lower risk of heart disease. These results suggest that DHEAS as a diagnostic standard to use, disease, mortality and age predict.
Another recent study tested the effects of minimal doses of DHEA (50mg/Tag) in men and women 40 to 70 years. After 2 weeks had blood levels of people quickly doubled. They slept better, felt more relaxed, had more energy and better reaction to stress. For a weight loss was in the 3 months, nothing found.
If studies in animals and humans are true, a DHEA supplementation to prevent disease, reduce the likelihood of death and age of the people renew.
The exact biological role is currently more or less misunderstood. Due to its precursor role include for sex hormones DHEA has been the role of a buffer-related hormone, Which die availability of other steroids influenced. The addition of DHEA in animal and human experiments revealed, however, inter alia, effects against aging, cancer and viral infections.
DHEA affects diabetes, cancer, tumor formation, skin conditions, fatigue, depression, memory and immune responses:
DHEA is effective against Alzheimer's disease:
In the United States and other countries, DHEA is already widely marketed and partially described as a miracle cure. It is from the mostly very positive slip publications that DHEA-GABEN die Simmung improve the sexual activity and increase readiness, stress hormones counteract the muscle condition maintained, strengthen the immune system and cancer and heart disease risk reduction. Yes even against AIDS, osteoporosis and Alzheimer DHEA should be effective.
DHEA is also closely related to brain neurons against age-related degenerative processes such as Alzheimer's coverage. Not only that such degenerative processes most likely to occur if the DHEA levels are low but the concentration of DHEA in the brain is much higher than in blood. Dr. E. Roberts is a specialist in this field of research. He found that small amounts of DHEA enough to count the number of nerve cells to increase the number of their contacts with others to increase their differentiation and in cell cultures anzuregen.DHEA is also found to be the long-term memory in mice trained to improve. DHEA may be a similar role to play in the human brain.
One of the major publications came from Mohammed Kalimi and William Regelson 1990: "The biological role of DHEA" in which scientists in 24 chapters from around the world their findings regarding the potentially most important messenger substance DHEA present. These are impressive. In the preface the editor, you can read:
DHEA affects diabetes, cancer, tumor formation, skin conditions, fatigue, depression, memory and immune reactions. With this broad range of clinical application, it is surprising, why do not more books about DHEA have been written!"
Early studies from England [Bulbrook, 1962.1971] have shown that DHEA in abnormally low concentrations occurred in women, breast cancer, did die, even up to nine years before the disease was diagnosed. Of 5000 women in the study produced 27 breast cancer. Most of the 27 had extremely low DHEA levels. If low DHEA levels to promote breast cancer, is the reverse acceptable?
DHEA and breast tumors:
Although DHEA is currently being tested in human tumors, we do not yet know whether the effects in humans are similar.
This must be said that mice and rats for a long time as the test objects from the studies in humans were used. The results so far have been mostly similar or identical
Thus DHEA inhibits fat synthesis.
DHEA as antioxidants:
DHEA enhances the formation of interferon-in activated T-cells (white blood cells that fight the virus-infected cells).
Thus DHEA protects against viral infections.
DHEA promotes the formation of insulin-producing cells and enhances insulin sensitivity.
DHEA can significantly reduce the Herzinfarktrisioko. Activation of brain metabolism in the frontal brain and other parts of the brain by
DHEA. It may be the differentiation of nerve cells increase.
Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), Prasteron (INN), is the most abundant steroid hormone in humans. Depending on the hormonal levels may be as an estrogen or androgen like behavior.
DHEA is the precursor for both the male sex hormones (androgens), as well as for the female sex hormone
DHEA is used in men to 100% in the inner layer (zona reticularis) of the adrenal cortex produces. For women, there are only about 70% the other 30% in the ovaries.
