madman
Super Moderator
Impact of dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) supplementation on testosterone concentrations and BMI in elderly women: A dose-response meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials
Ying Hu, Ping Wan, Xiaoqing An, Guilin Jiang
Abstract
Background: Despite the fact that numerous clinical studies have evaluated the positive effects of dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) supplementation on testosterone concentrations and on the body mass index (BMI), more evidence is needed to certify that DHEA is a BMI-reducing agent in the elderly. This meta-analysis aims to clarify the various incompatible results and investigate the impact of DHEA supplementation on serum testosterone levels and lean body mass in elderly women.
Methods: Four scientific databases (EMBASE, PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus, and Web of Science) were searched from inception until 20 August 2020 for trials comparing DHEA with placebo. Results were presented as weighted mean differences (WMDs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) based on the random-effects model (DerSimonian-Laird approach).
Results: Nine arms with 793 subjects reported testosterone as an outcome measure. The overall results demonstrated that testosterone levels increased significantly after DHEA administration in elderly women (WMD: 17.52 ng/dL, 95% CI: 6.61, 28.43, P=0.002). In addition, DHEA administration significantly decreased the BMI (WMD:-0.39 kg/m2 , I2 =0.0%).
Conclusion: The results of the current meta-analysis support the use of DHEA supplementation for increasing testosterone concentrations in elderly women.
Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) and its sulfated form, i.e. DHEAS, have the highest plasma concentrations among steroid hormones(1). In humans, DHEA(S) is secreted by the zona reticularis of the adrenal cortex and its production starts from puberty and peaks at the age of 20. After the age of 25, a rapid reduction emerges and, by the age of 75, its plasma levels are 80% less than those measured at the age of 25 (2). Until now, several effects of DHEA on human health have been identified, e.g. DHEA reduces inflammation and stimulates or improves cognition, memory, insulin sensitivity, and the immune system (3, 4). Studies have revealed that the age-related decline in DHEA levels might be associated with various disorders(5). Thus, DHEA supplementation has been investigated, with recent reports showing its efficacy in enhancing psychological and physical well-being, muscle strength, sexual function, and insulin sensitivity (6- 10). Moreover, DHEA replacement prevents bone loss and improves bone mass density (BMD), decreases fat mass, and body weight (11-13). Since DHEA is the precursor of testosterone, higher levels of testosterone as a result of DHEA supplementation can be expected. Testosterone concentrations decrease with age and contribute to reduced muscle mass and bone density, impaired hair growth, and sexual dysfunction (14, 15). Thus, body composition differs following changes in hormonal status (16). For instance, due to age-dependent decreases in DHEA and testosterone concentrations, the loss of bone and muscle mass as components of free fat mass are common consequences. In order to alleviate the rate of bone and muscle mass loss, keeping DHEA levels in “youthful” ranges has been suggested as a beneficial strategy(17). Lean body mass is described as the total body mass without the fat mass, mainly consisting of bone and muscle mass(18). The best evidence of DHEA supplementation is related to BMD accretion and improvement of muscle mass and strength via DHEA’s influence on lean body mass in older adults (19, 20). Despite the fact that numerous clinical studies have evaluated the positive effects of DHEA consumption on the aforementioned body components, more evidence is needed to deduce that DHEA promotes lean body mass in the elderly. This meta-analysis aims to clarify the various incompatible results and investigate the impact of DHEA supplementation on serum testosterone levels and lean body mass in elderly women.
Conclusion
The results of the current meta-analysis support the use of DHEA supplementation to improve testosterone concentrations in elderly women. In addition, DHEA supplementation can also be used to decrease BMI.
Ying Hu, Ping Wan, Xiaoqing An, Guilin Jiang
Abstract
Background: Despite the fact that numerous clinical studies have evaluated the positive effects of dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) supplementation on testosterone concentrations and on the body mass index (BMI), more evidence is needed to certify that DHEA is a BMI-reducing agent in the elderly. This meta-analysis aims to clarify the various incompatible results and investigate the impact of DHEA supplementation on serum testosterone levels and lean body mass in elderly women.
Methods: Four scientific databases (EMBASE, PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus, and Web of Science) were searched from inception until 20 August 2020 for trials comparing DHEA with placebo. Results were presented as weighted mean differences (WMDs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) based on the random-effects model (DerSimonian-Laird approach).
Results: Nine arms with 793 subjects reported testosterone as an outcome measure. The overall results demonstrated that testosterone levels increased significantly after DHEA administration in elderly women (WMD: 17.52 ng/dL, 95% CI: 6.61, 28.43, P=0.002). In addition, DHEA administration significantly decreased the BMI (WMD:-0.39 kg/m2 , I2 =0.0%).
Conclusion: The results of the current meta-analysis support the use of DHEA supplementation for increasing testosterone concentrations in elderly women.
Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) and its sulfated form, i.e. DHEAS, have the highest plasma concentrations among steroid hormones(1). In humans, DHEA(S) is secreted by the zona reticularis of the adrenal cortex and its production starts from puberty and peaks at the age of 20. After the age of 25, a rapid reduction emerges and, by the age of 75, its plasma levels are 80% less than those measured at the age of 25 (2). Until now, several effects of DHEA on human health have been identified, e.g. DHEA reduces inflammation and stimulates or improves cognition, memory, insulin sensitivity, and the immune system (3, 4). Studies have revealed that the age-related decline in DHEA levels might be associated with various disorders(5). Thus, DHEA supplementation has been investigated, with recent reports showing its efficacy in enhancing psychological and physical well-being, muscle strength, sexual function, and insulin sensitivity (6- 10). Moreover, DHEA replacement prevents bone loss and improves bone mass density (BMD), decreases fat mass, and body weight (11-13). Since DHEA is the precursor of testosterone, higher levels of testosterone as a result of DHEA supplementation can be expected. Testosterone concentrations decrease with age and contribute to reduced muscle mass and bone density, impaired hair growth, and sexual dysfunction (14, 15). Thus, body composition differs following changes in hormonal status (16). For instance, due to age-dependent decreases in DHEA and testosterone concentrations, the loss of bone and muscle mass as components of free fat mass are common consequences. In order to alleviate the rate of bone and muscle mass loss, keeping DHEA levels in “youthful” ranges has been suggested as a beneficial strategy(17). Lean body mass is described as the total body mass without the fat mass, mainly consisting of bone and muscle mass(18). The best evidence of DHEA supplementation is related to BMD accretion and improvement of muscle mass and strength via DHEA’s influence on lean body mass in older adults (19, 20). Despite the fact that numerous clinical studies have evaluated the positive effects of DHEA consumption on the aforementioned body components, more evidence is needed to deduce that DHEA promotes lean body mass in the elderly. This meta-analysis aims to clarify the various incompatible results and investigate the impact of DHEA supplementation on serum testosterone levels and lean body mass in elderly women.
Conclusion
The results of the current meta-analysis support the use of DHEA supplementation to improve testosterone concentrations in elderly women. In addition, DHEA supplementation can also be used to decrease BMI.
