Serum levels of the adrenal androgens Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) and DHEA-sulfate (DHEA-S) attenuate dramatically with age, independent of cortisol, and have been seen to have beneficial effects on body composition, resting energy expenditure (RER), and lipoprotein values. To study the benefits of DHEA in humans with low DHEA-S, 50 mg of micronized oral DHEA/day was administered to 11 health non-smoking menopausal women on no medications. DHEA was administered for 3 weeks in a randomized double blind placebo controlled design with a 3 week washout period. Blood was drawn for lipoprotein and serum hormone concentrations at the beginning and end of each treatment and placebo period. RER, grip strength, and body composition were also measured before and after each treatment and placebo period. Statistical treatment was by ANOVA in a crossover model. DHEA, DHEA-S, free testosterone and testosterone were significantly increased to levels higher than those seen in normal reproductive age women. DHEA-S and DHEA rose from 74.2 $\pm$ 8.5 $\mu$l/dl to 456.3 $\pm$ 71.5 $\mu$l/dl and from 166.7 $\pm$ 23.9 $\mu$l/dl to 418.5 $\pm$ 29.8 $\mu$l/dl, respectively (p $<$ 0.0001 from placebo). No significant changes were found in RER, grip strength, and body composition. Total cholesterol, HDL, and LDL values did not change significantly; however, there was a significant decrease in triglycerides (TG) (p $<$ 0.05). The findings of this study suggested that oral DHEA administered for 3 weeks did not significantly affect RER, grip strength, or body composition; however, TG were significantly decreased. The level of hormone concentrations studied imply that DHEA may be attenuated by aging and restored by replacement. / Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 54-08, Section: B, page: 4036. / Major Professor: David Quadagno. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--The Florida State University, 1993.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:fsu.edu/oai:fsu.digital.flvc.org:fsu_76999 |
| Contributors | Faquin, Lisa Carol., Florida State University |
| Source Sets | Florida State University |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Text |
| Format | 113 p. |
| Rights | On campus use only. |
| Relation | Dissertation Abstracts International |
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