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• Serum Levels of Pregnenolone and
  17-hydroxypregnenolone in Patients withRheumatoid
  Arthritis and Systemic Lupus Erythematosus
  Relation to Other Adrenal Hormones Vogl, Falk,
  Dorner, Scholmerich, Straub, The Journal of
  Rheumatology 2003 302
• Conversion of pregnenolone to DHEA by human 17
  alpha-hydroxylase/17,20-lyase(P450c17) Soucy,
  Luu-The, European Journal of Biochemistry, 2000
  267
• Ingestion of a Dietary Supplement Containing
  Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) and Androstenedione
  Has Minimal Effect on Immune Function in
  Middle-Aged Men Kohut, et al. JOunrla of the
  American College of Nutrition 2003 225
• Williams, D, Lemke, T, Foyes Principles of
  Medicinal Chemistry, 5th edition. 2002
  Lippincott Williams and Wilkins
• Tomova, A, Kumanov, P. Are dehydroepiandrosterone
  sulphate and lipids associated with erectile
  dysfunction? Maturitas 2004 50294-299
• Feldman, H.A., et al. Age trends in the Level of
  Serum Testosterone and Other Hormones in
  Middle-Aged Men Longitudinal Results from the
  Massachusetts Male Aging Study. The Journal of
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DHEA is a native, cholesterol-derived androgen
precursor. The primary metabolic pathway is
shown in Figure (XX). Oral dietary supplements
have been shown to increase serum DHEA levels as
well as levels of downstream androgens (Kohut, et
al 2003). This increase in androgens is
foundation for the purported anti-aging,
improved immune response, increased libdo, etc.
of dietary supplements. Much of the interest and
hype regarding DHEA assumes that the lack of DHEA
causes many of the symptoms of aging (Feldman, et
al 2002). Much of the research has tested the
cause-and-effect relationships between DHEA and
the symptoms of aging. One important
consideration when evaluating potential effects
of DHEA supplements is that animal have limited
applicability to humans, as the sources of
androgens varies by species (Kohut, et al 2003).
The immune effects, although present in vitro and
in mice, were not exhibited in otherwise healthy
men (Kohut, et al 2003). Erectile dysfunction
was demonstrated to be unaffected by DHEA serum
levels and supplementation (Tomova, Kumanov
2004). The side effects of DHEA are similar to
androgen agonists and replacements, including the
development of the secondary sex characteristics
of the opposite gender (Williams, Lempke 2002).
Both genders may also experience electrolyte
retention (Williams, Lempke 2002).