DHEA: Effects on oxidative and glycative stress and glucose metabolism.

Abstract

An adrenal-derived androgen, dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), gradually reduces along with aging. It has been suggested that DHEA is an effective index for aging and has relationships with geriatric syndromes. There are suggestions that the decreased DHEA is related to the onset and progression of metabolic syndrome and diabetes mellitus and the decrease of bone mineral density, in terms of diseases. However, the underlying mechanisms are unknown to a great extent. Focusing on the relationship with diabetes mellitus, a large number of studies on animal models and cells, and cross-sectional studies on humans have suggested that DHEA has anti-diabetic properties. Nevertheless, longitudinal studies on humans and studies on DHEA administration with a small number of subjects have not led to a valid conclusion, providing controversial outcomes. Type II diabetes mellitus is known to exacerbate oxidative stress. The increase of reactive oxygen species in the blood, the decline of defense systems against oxidative stress, and the accumulation of glycation products are observed. Interestingly, it is indicated that DHEA administration to patients with type 2 diabetes improves these phenomena. Inhibitory effects of DHEA on arteriosclerosis are suggested and there is a potential that the effects are exerted along with the above effects against diabetes. DHEA has a variety of favorable properties for hormone replacement therapies in anti-aging fields. Further progress is expected for research on DHEA.