DHEA

Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) is a C19 steroid
secreted by the adrenal cortex and in smaller
quantities by the gonads. DHEA is a precursor in
testosterone and various estrogens biosynthesis.
The physiologic role of DHEA is not-well defined,
because of a lot of ascertained in vivo and in vitro
effects, for example the prevention and regression of
colon tumor, spontaneous and inducted, in rodents.
Some studies showed a decrease in the DHEA
production in women with risk for the breast cancer. In
animal models DHEA showed a role in the therapeutic
action against diabetes, obesity and cardiovascular
pathologies, and unclear roles in immunology, in lipid
metabolism (also cholesterol) and in the nervous
system.
Seric levels of DHEA are relatively high in fetal and
neonatal age, decrease during childhood and increase
again during puberty until 30 years. No DHEA
variations have been observed during pregnancy or
menstrual cycle. Seric levels of DHEA are 100-1000
times lower than the levels of DHEA sulphate (DHEA- S).
The measurement of seric levels of DHEA is a marker
for adrenal androgen synthesis. Abnormal low levels
of DHEA can be observed in the hypoadrenalism,
while elevated levels can be observed in various
pathologies such as the surrenalic adenomas, 21- hydroxylase and 3b-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase
deficiency and in some cases of female hirsutism.