1. Frindik, J.P.,3-Beta Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenase Deficiency eMedicine April 2003, Retrieved from http://www.emedicine.com/PED/topic1051.htm on 5/6/2006 http://www.emedicine.com/PED/topic1051.htm Chemical Structures retrieved from http://www.genome.ad.jp/dbget/ on 5/14/2006http://www.genome.ad.jp/dbget/ Vogl, Falk, Dorner, Scholmerich, Straub Serum Levels of Pregnenolone and 17-hydroxypregnenolone in Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis and Systemic Lupus Erythematosus: Relation to Other Adrenal Hormones, The Journal of Rheumatology 2003 30:2 Soucy, Luu-The, Conversion of pregnenolone to DHEA by human 17 alpha-hydroxylase/17,20-lyase(P450c17), European Journal of Biochemistry, 2000 267 Kohut, et al., Ingestion of a Dietary Supplement Containing Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) and Androstenedione Has Minimal Effect on Immune Function in Middle-Aged Men Jounrnal of the American College of Nutrition 2003 22:5 Williams, D, Lemke, T, Foye’s Principles of Medicinal Chemistry, 5 th edition. 2002 Lippincott Williams and Wilkins Tomova, A, Kumanov, P. Are dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate and lipids associated with erectile dysfunction? Maturitas 2004 50:294- 299 Feldman, H.A., et al. Age trends in the Level of Serum Testosterone and Other Hormones in Middle-Aged Men: Longitudinal Results from the Massachusetts Male Aging Study. The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism 2002: 87(2) Ueshiba, H. et al Decreased steroidogenic enzyme 17,20-lysase and increased 17-hydrolas activities in type 2 diabetes mellitus. European Journal of Endocrinology 2002 146:375-380 DHEA is a native, cholesterol-derived androgen precursor. The primary metabolic pathway is shown in Figure (XX). Oral dietary supplements have been shown to increase serum DHEA levels as well as levels of downstream androgens (Kohut, et al 2003). This increase in androgens is foundation for the purported anti-aging, improved immune response, increased libido, etc. of dietary supplements. Much of the interest and hype regarding DHEA assumes that the lack of DHEA causes many of the symptoms of aging (Feldman, et al 2002). Much of the research has tested the cause-and-effect relationships between DHEA and the symptoms of aging. One important consideration when evaluating potential effects of DHEA supplements is that animal have limited applicability to humans, as the sources of androgens varies by species (Kohut, et al 2003). The immune effects, although present in vitro and in mice, were not exhibited in otherwise healthy men (Kohut, et al 2003). Erectile dysfunction was demonstrated to be unaffected by DHEA serum levels and supplementation (Tomova, Kumanov 2004). The side effects of DHEA are similar to androgen agonists and replacements, including the development of the secondary sex characteristics of the opposite gender (Williams, Lempke 2002). Both genders may also experience electrolyte retention (Williams, Lempke 2002). There is ongoing research into how DHEA levels affect Type II Diabetes. At least one study has demonstrated that poorly controlled Diabetes is linked to low DHEA levels, apparently due to decreased enzyme activity at multiple points along the DHEA metabolic pathway (Ueshiba, et al. 2002). Figure XX. Synthetic Pathway of DHEA, Testosterone and Estradiol P450c17 Pregnenolone17 Hydroxy PregnenoloneDHEA Testosterone Estradiol (E2) Estrogen Cholesterol P450scc Androsteridione 3 Beta- Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenase P450c17 References: Frindik 2003, Vogl et. Al., 2003, Soucy, Luu-The 2000