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Journal of Molecular Medicine (Berlin,... Jan 2020Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), mostly present as its sulfated ester (DHEA-S), is an anabolic hormone that naturally declines with age. Furthermore, it is the most... (Review)
Review
Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), mostly present as its sulfated ester (DHEA-S), is an anabolic hormone that naturally declines with age. Furthermore, it is the most abundant androgen and estrogen precursor in humans. Low plasma levels of DHEA have been strongly associated with obesity, insulin resistance, dyslipidemia, and high blood pressure, increasing the risk of cardiovascular disease. In this respect, DHEA could be regarded as a promising agent against metabolic syndrome (MetS) in postmenopausal women, since several age-related metabolic diseases are reported during aging. There are plenty of experimental evidences showing beneficial effects after DHEA therapy on carbohydrate and lipid metabolism, as well as cardiovascular health. However, its potential as a therapeutic agent appears to attract controversy, due to the lack of effects on some symptoms related to MetS. In this review, we examine the available literature regarding the impact of DHEA therapy on adiposity, glucose metabolism, and the cardiovascular system in the postmenopausal period. Both clinical studies and in vitro and in vivo experimental models were selected, and where possible, the main cellular mechanisms involved in DHEA therapy were discussed. Schematic representation showing some of the general effects observed after administration DHEA therapy on target tissues of energy metabolism and the cardiovascular system. ↑ represents an increase, ↓ represents a decrease, - represents a worsening and ↔ represents no change after DHEA therapy.
Topics: Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Aging; Animals; Cardiovascular Diseases; Cardiovascular System; Dehydroepiandrosterone; Female; Humans; Insulin Resistance; Lipid Metabolism; Male; Metabolic Syndrome; Middle Aged; Obesity; Postmenopause
PubMed: 31713639
DOI: 10.1007/s00109-019-01842-5 -
Bioscience Trends Jan 2022In China, cardiovascular disease (CVD) has surpassed malignant tumours to become the disease with the highest mortality rate, and atherosclerosis (AS) is an important... (Review)
Review
In China, cardiovascular disease (CVD) has surpassed malignant tumours to become the disease with the highest mortality rate, and atherosclerosis (AS) is an important pathological cause of CVD. Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) is the most abundant steroid hormone in circulating human blood and is a precursor of estrogen and androgen. DHEA is converted into a series of sex hormones in local peripheral tissues where its acts physiologically. DHEA also acts therapeutically, thereby avoiding the adverse systemic reactions to sex hormones. DHEA inhibits AS, thus inhibiting the development of CVD, and it improves the prognosis for CVD. The incidence of CVD in postmenopausal women is substantially higher than that in premenopausal women, and that incidence is believed to be related to a decrease in ovarian function. The current review analyzes the mechanisms of postmenopausal women's susceptibility to AS. They tend to have dyslipidemia, and their vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) proliferate and migrate more. In addition, oxidative stress and the inflammatory response of endothelial cells (ECs) are more serious in postmenopausal women. This review also discusses how DHEA combats AS by countering these mechanisms, which include regulating the blood lipid status, protecting ECs (including coping with oxidative stress and inflammatory reactions of the vascular endothelium, inhibiting apoptosis of ECs, and inducing NO production) and inhibiting the proliferation and migration of VSMCs. As a result, DHEA has great value in preventing AS and inhibiting its progression in postmenopausal women.
Topics: Atherosclerosis; Dehydroepiandrosterone; Endothelial Cells; Estrogens; Female; Humans; Postmenopause
PubMed: 34759119
DOI: 10.5582/bst.2021.01320 -
Organic & Biomolecular Chemistry Apr 2023Menarandroside A, which bears a 12α-hydroxypregnenolone steroid backbone, was isolated from the plant, . Treatment of extracts from this plant containing menarandroside...
Menarandroside A, which bears a 12α-hydroxypregnenolone steroid backbone, was isolated from the plant, . Treatment of extracts from this plant containing menarandroside A against secretin tumor cell line (STC-1) intestinal cells, resulted in an increased secretion of glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1), a peptide that plays a role in the regulation of blood sugar levels. Increase in GLP-1 is beneficial for the treatment of type 2 diabetes. We disclose the synthesis of menarandroside A from dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA). Key features of this synthesis include: (i) Wittig reaction of the C17-ketone of a 12-oxygenated DHEA derivative to introduce the C17-acetyl moiety, and (ii) the stereoselective reduction of a C12-keto intermediate bearing an sp-center at C17 to yield the C12α-hydroxy group. In addition, an oxidation of a methyl enol ether derivative to an α-hydroxy methyl ester using tetrapropylammonium perruthenate (TPAP) and -methyl-morpholine--oxide (NMO) was discovered.
Topics: Humans; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2; Steroids; Glucagon-Like Peptide 1; Oxidation-Reduction; Dehydroepiandrosterone
PubMed: 36950968
DOI: 10.1039/d3ob00054k -
Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences Aug 2019In a group of IVF/ICSI cycles, despite the appropriate ovarian stimulation, the number of oocytes collected is below the expected value. This condition is defined as... (Review)
Review
In a group of IVF/ICSI cycles, despite the appropriate ovarian stimulation, the number of oocytes collected is below the expected value. This condition is defined as poor ovarian response (POR) to stimulation. POR brings the risk of cycle cancellation with an estimated rate of 20%. Infertility experts are trying to improve cycle outcomes of POR cases with multiple modifications. This review article will present the latest modifications on the management of POR. The studies performed for improving cycle outcome in POR cases were evaluated and their notable results were presented. The first intervention among infertility specialists is to make a standard definition for POR. The BOLOGNA criteria and the subsequent POSEIDON group definitions are the latest updates in POR management. GnRH antagonists, estradiol priming, double stimulation, letrozole administration, DHEA, and herbal therapy supplementations are the recent modifications done to improve oocyte retrieval and subsequent embryo transfer for POR cases. This review article presents the encouraging methods applied for POR cases to improve cycle outcome.
Topics: Adult; Aromatase Inhibitors; Dehydroepiandrosterone; Estradiol; Female; Humans; Infertility, Female; Oocyte Retrieval; Oocytes; Ovary; Ovulation Induction; Treatment Outcome
PubMed: 31385487
DOI: 10.3906/sag-1905-179 -
Psychoneuroendocrinology Jul 2021The hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) and parasympathetic nervous systems have been reported to play important roles in emotion regulation and stress coping. Yet,...
The hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) and parasympathetic nervous systems have been reported to play important roles in emotion regulation and stress coping. Yet, their direct relationship with psychological resilience remains unclear. These biophysiological features should be considered together with the traditional psychometric properties in studying resilience more comprehensively. The current study aimed to examine the role of these systems during a laboratory stress task and to determine the prediction power of resilience by combining psychological and biophysiological features. One hundred and seven (52 females) university students without psychiatric disorders underwent the Trier Social Stress Task (TSST). Psychometric properties of resilience were measured at rest; vagal heart rate variability (HRV), salivary cortisol, and dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) levels were captured at baseline, during, and after TSST. Multivariate linear regression as well as support vector regression machine-learning analyses were performed to investigate significant predictors and the prediction power of resilience. Results showed that positive and negative affects, HRV during the anticipatory phase of stress, and the ratio of cortisol/DHEA at the first recovery time point were significant predictors of resilience. The addition of biophysiological features increased the prediction power of resilience by 1.2-fold compared to psychological features alone. Results from machine learning analyses further demonstrated that the increased prediction power of resilience by adding the ratio of cortisol/DHEA was significant in "cortisol responders"; whereas a trend level was observed in "cortisol non-responders". Our findings extend the knowledge from the literature that high vagal activity during the anticipating phase of stress and the ability to restore the balance between cortisol and DHEA after a stress event could be an important feature in predicting resilience. Our findings also further support the need of combining psychological and biophysiological features in studying/predicting resilience.
Topics: Biomarkers; Dehydroepiandrosterone; Female; Humans; Hydrocortisone; Male; Resilience, Psychological; Saliva; Stress, Psychological
PubMed: 34015682
DOI: 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2021.105267 -
The Urologic Clinics of North America May 2022Patients using nutraceuticals represent a diverse patient population with a keen potential interest and/or adherence to healthy lifestyle changes. BPH nutraceuticals,... (Review)
Review
Patients using nutraceuticals represent a diverse patient population with a keen potential interest and/or adherence to healthy lifestyle changes. BPH nutraceuticals, including saw palmetto were as safe, but not more effective than placebo in the STEP and CAMUS clinical trials, but another high-quality saw palmetto product could be tested in a phase 3 trial. Several other BPH supplements need more recent robust clinical data, environmental oversight, or safety data. ED supplements, including Panax ginseng, and the notable nitric oxide (NO) enhancing amino acids arginine and citrulline have positive preliminary short-term efficacy data with and without PDE-5 inhibitors, but herbal quality control (QC) or safety signals with some of these agents in specific patient populations need to be resolved. "Less is more" should be the current mantra in the prostate cancer milieu, and potentially in some men with male infertility based on the FAZST trial because it is plausible some antioxidants are exhibiting prooxidant activity in some settings. Some prescription anthelmintic medications are being studied, others are being purchased over-the-counter (OTC), but their preliminary safety and efficacy against cancer have been concerning and questionable. In fairness, ongoing additional objective clinical trial data should become available soon, especially with mebendazole. DHEA or DHEA enhancing products have multiple concerns including HDL reductions, and their questionable use in men with BPH or prostate cancer based on the limited data. Some of these concerns should also be addressed in long-term robust clinical trials of prescription testosterone agents. Regardless, more attention should be directed toward heart-healthy lifestyle changes for most urologic men's health conditions, whether they are used in a preventive or synergistic setting with other acceptable clinical treatment options.
Topics: Antioxidants; Dehydroepiandrosterone; Dietary Supplements; Female; Humans; Life Style; Male; Men's Health; Phytotherapy; Prostatic Hyperplasia; Prostatic Neoplasms; Reactive Oxygen Species; Urologic Diseases
PubMed: 35428430
DOI: 10.1016/j.ucl.2021.12.006 -
Drug and Therapeutics Bulletin Dec 2019
Review
Topics: Administration, Intravaginal; Atrophy; Dehydroepiandrosterone; Female; Humans; Pessaries; Vaginal Diseases; Vulvar Diseases
PubMed: 31578208
DOI: 10.1136/dtb.2019.000034 -
Differential methylation pattern in pubertal girls associated with biochemical premature adrenarche.Epigenetics Dec 2023Biochemical premature adrenarche is defined by elevated serum DHEAS [≥40 μg/dL] before age 8 y in girls. This condition is receiving more attention due to its...
Biochemical premature adrenarche is defined by elevated serum DHEAS [≥40 μg/dL] before age 8 y in girls. This condition is receiving more attention due to its association with obesity, hyperinsulinemia, dyslipidemia, and polycystic ovary syndrome. Nevertheless, the link between early androgen excess and these risk factors remains unknown. Epigenetic modifications, and specifically DNA methylation, have been associated with the initiation and progression of numerous disorders, including obesity and insulin resistance. The aim of this study was to determine if prepubertal androgen exposure is associated with a different methylation profile in pubertal girls. Eighty-six healthy girls were studied. At age 7 y, anthropometric measurements were begun and DHEAS levels were determined. Girls were classified into Low DHEAS (LD) [<42 μg/dL] and High DHEAS (HD) [≥42 μg/dL] groups. At Tanner stages 2 and 4 a DNA methylation microarray was performed to identify differentially methylated CpG positions (DMPs) between HD and LD groups. We observed a differential methylation pattern between pubertal girls with and without biochemical PA. Moreover, a set of DNA methylation markers, selected by the LASSO method, successfully distinguished between HD and LD girls regardless of Tanner stage. Additionally, a subset of these markers were significantly associated with glucose-related measures such as insulin level, HOMA-IR, and glycaemia. This pilot study provides evidence consistent with the hypothesis that high DHEAS concentration, or its hormonally active metabolites, may induce a unique blood methylation signature in pubertal girls, and that this methylation pattern is associated with altered glucose metabolism.
Topics: Female; Humans; Child; Adrenarche; Androgens; Pilot Projects; DNA Methylation; Dehydroepiandrosterone Sulfate; Obesity
PubMed: 37053179
DOI: 10.1080/15592294.2023.2200366 -
Frontiers in Endocrinology 2023Differentiating between adrenal Cushing syndrome (adrenal CS) and Cushing disease (CD) can be challenging if there are equivocal or falsely elevated adrenocorticotropic...
BACKGROUND
Differentiating between adrenal Cushing syndrome (adrenal CS) and Cushing disease (CD) can be challenging if there are equivocal or falsely elevated adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) values. We aim to investigate the diagnostic value of serum steroid profiles in differentiating adrenal CS from CD.
METHOD
A total of 11 serum steroids in adrenal CS ( = 13) and CD ( = 15) were analyzed by liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). Age- and gender-specific steroid ratios were generated by dividing the actual steroid concentration by the upper limit of the relevant reference range. A principal component analysis (PCA) and an orthogonal partial least squares discriminant analysis (OPLS-DA) were performed.
RESULTS
The PCA and OPLS-DA analyses showed distinct serum steroid profiles between adrenal CS and CD. Dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEA-S), dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), and androstenedione ratios were identified as biomarkers for discrimination by variable importance in projection (VIP) in combination with -tests. The sensitivity and specificity of DHEA-S ratios <0.40 were 92.31% (95% CI 64.0%-99.8%) and 93.33% (95% CI 68.1%-99.8%), respectively, in identifying adrenal CS. The sensitivity and specificity of DHEA ratios <0.18 were 100% (95% CI 75.3%-100.0%) and 100% (95% CI 78.2%-100.0%), respectively, in identifying adrenal CS.
CONCLUSION
Our data support the clinical use of the DHEA-S and DHEA ratios in the differential diagnosis of adrenal CS and CD, especially when falsely elevated ACTH is suspected.
Topics: Humans; Dehydroepiandrosterone; Dehydroepiandrosterone Sulfate; Cushing Syndrome; Pituitary ACTH Hypersecretion; Chromatography, Liquid; Tandem Mass Spectrometry; Steroids; Adrenocorticotropic Hormone
PubMed: 37260439
DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2023.1158573 -
Hormones (Athens, Greece) Dec 2021The aim of the present literature review is to describe the influence of sex hormones on the human voice in physiological conditions. As a secondary sexual organ, the... (Review)
Review
The aim of the present literature review is to describe the influence of sex hormones on the human voice in physiological conditions. As a secondary sexual organ, the larynx is affected by sex hormones and may change considerably over the lifespan. In the current review, sex hormone-related voice modifications occurring during childhood, puberty, the menstrual cycle, pregnancy and senescence are described. The roles of sex hormones (including gonadotropins, testosterone, estrogen, androstenedione, dehydroepiandrosterone, and dehydroepiandrosterone-sulfate) underlying physiological voice changes are discussed, the main differences between males and females are explained and clinical implications are taken into account.
Topics: Androgens; Androstenedione; Dehydroepiandrosterone; Estrogens; Female; Gonadal Steroid Hormones; Gonadotropins; Humans; Male; Pregnancy; Testosterone; Voice
PubMed: 34046877
DOI: 10.1007/s42000-021-00298-y