DHEA Use Enhances Endothelial
Function and Insulin Sensitivity in Men
New study findings indicate that replenishment
of this hormone with supplements can improve endothelial
function and insulin sensitivity-which may lower
the risk of heart disease.
Levels of dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), which
are inversely related to the risk of coronary
artery disease, decrease with age. Now, new study
findings indicate that replenishment of this hormone
with supplements can improve endothelial function
and insulin sensitivity-which may lower the risk
of heart disease.
DHEA treatment, but not placebo, was associated
with a significant improvement in endothelial
function, which was apparent after just 4 weeks
of treatment (p< 0.01), lead author Dr. Hiroaki
Kawano, from Kumamoto University School of Medicine
in Japan, and colleagues note.
The findings are based on a study of 24 older
men with hypercholesterolemia who were randomized
to receive DHEA 25 mg/day or placebo for 12 weeks.
Endothelial function, insulin sensitivity, and
fibrinolytic activity were evaluated at baseline
and after 4 or more weeks of treatment.
Treatment with DHEA also produced a significant
drop in steady stage glucose levels, but did not
alter insulin level.
The duration of DHEA use was inversely tied to
levels of plasminogen activator inhibitor type
1 (p < 0.01), another change that could protect
against cardiovascular disease.
"DHEA has been demonstrated to have an antiatherosclerotic
effect in animal models and there are some reports
that DHEA may have a protective effect against
age-related illnesses in humans," the investigators
note. The current findings shed light on several
mechanisms that may help explain these effects.
J Clin Endocrinol Metab 2003;88:3190-3195.
