PURPOSE: Fatigue, energy loss, feeling of helplessness, poor appetite, pain besides general weakness are major symptoms presented to terminally ill cancer patients. These symptoms are similar to those that appeared with adrenal insufficiency. Also, for terminally ill cancer patients who are hospitalized for palliative care, opioid agents are prescribed to control moderate to severe pain. We studied the relationship of opioid agents and adrenal insufficiency. METHODS: From November 2013 through June 2014, we monitored the serum level of cortisol and dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS, serum) in 55 cancer patients who were over 18 years old and were treated at a hospice center. We also checked the treatment period and dosage of opioid agents. RESULTS: The DHEAS level, treatment period and dosage of opioid agents did not have significant correlation. Correlation between the serum cortisol level and the opioid agent treatment period was not significant either, but the serum cortisol level was positively correlated with the dosage of opioid agents (P value 0.0322). CONCLUSION: This study did not identify a novel link between treatment period, dosage of opioid agents and adrenal insufficiency. But, the DHEAS level was mostly below the normal level in patients who were treated with opioid agents.
Adrenal Insufficiency ; Analgesics, Opioid* ; Appetite ; Dehydroepiandrosterone Sulfate ; Dehydroepiandrosterone* ; Fatigue ; Hospices ; Humans ; Hydrocortisone* ; Palliative Care ; Terminally Ill

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the relationship between serum dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS) or free testosterone (FT) levels and aging. METHODS:One hundred and thirty one women without androgen excess symptoms such as oligomenorrhea or amenorrhea or hirsutism were recruited for measuring serum DHEAS, FT levels by radioimmunoassay. A P-value <0.05 was considered to be significant statistically. RESULTS: The levels of DHEAS were 211.39+/-33.01 microg/dL (twenties, n=10), 127.99+/-11.79 microg/dL (thirties, n=31), 94.30+/-7.49 microg/dL (forties, n=57) and 71.79+/-5.71 microg/dL (over fifties, n=33) respectively (mean+/-SE, P<0.001). The levels of FT were 3.98+/-0.94 pg/ml (twenties, n=10), 3.37+/-0.47 pg/mL (thirties, n=31), 2.68+/-0.30 pg/mL (forties, n=57) and 1.97+/-0.28 pg/mL (fifties, n=33) respectively (mean+/-SE, P=0.030). Mean value declining of DHEAS (r=-0.48865, P<0.0001) was bigger than those of FT (r=-0.29334, P<0.0007). CONCLUSION: Both DHEAS and FT levels decline with age and DHEAS decreases more steeply than FT.
Aging ; Amenorrhea ; Dehydroepiandrosterone ; Dehydroepiandrosterone Sulfate ; Female ; Hirsutism ; Humans ; Oligomenorrhea ; Radioimmunoassay ; Testosterone

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the relationship between serum dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS) or free testosterone (FT) levels and aging. METHODS:One hundred and thirty one women without androgen excess symptoms such as oligomenorrhea or amenorrhea or hirsutism were recruited for measuring serum DHEAS, FT levels by radioimmunoassay. A P-value <0.05 was considered to be significant statistically. RESULTS: The levels of DHEAS were 211.39+/-33.01 microg/dL (twenties, n=10), 127.99+/-11.79 microg/dL (thirties, n=31), 94.30+/-7.49 microg/dL (forties, n=57) and 71.79+/-5.71 microg/dL (over fifties, n=33) respectively (mean+/-SE, P<0.001). The levels of FT were 3.98+/-0.94 pg/ml (twenties, n=10), 3.37+/-0.47 pg/mL (thirties, n=31), 2.68+/-0.30 pg/mL (forties, n=57) and 1.97+/-0.28 pg/mL (fifties, n=33) respectively (mean+/-SE, P=0.030). Mean value declining of DHEAS (r=-0.48865, P<0.0001) was bigger than those of FT (r=-0.29334, P<0.0007). CONCLUSION: Both DHEAS and FT levels decline with age and DHEAS decreases more steeply than FT.
Aging ; Amenorrhea ; Dehydroepiandrosterone ; Dehydroepiandrosterone Sulfate ; Female ; Hirsutism ; Humans ; Oligomenorrhea ; Radioimmunoassay ; Testosterone

BACKGROUND: It has been known that androgenetic alopecia in both male and female is due to the role of the androgen hormone in the hair follicle, but the level of the androgen hormone in the plasma is controversial in relation with the development of the alopecia. OBJECTIVE: We have tried the clarify if there is any or no difference in the plasma levels of the hormones between the normal female and the patient with alopecia, because the range of the plasma DHEA-S and total testosterone in the normal female is very wide. METHODS: Plasma levels if the hormones were examined in 22 patients with female androgenetic alopecia and 20 normal females. RESULTS: 1. In DHEA-S, 21(95.5%) aut of 22 female androgenetic alopecia patients were in the normal range while 20(100%) of the 20 normal females were all within the normal range. However the mean value of the hormone(88.89+101.41 g/dl) in the patient group was significantly higher than that(82.18+44.03 g/dl) of the normal group(p<0.05). 2. In total testosterone, 17(94.4%) out of the 18 patents were in the normal range while 20 (100%) of 20 normal females were all within the normal range. However the mean value of the hormone(0.22+0.20ng/ml) in the patient group was significantly higher than that(0.08+0.09ng/ml) of the normal group(p<0.05). 3. As for distribution of DIEA S according to the age, the value of the patient group was higher than that of the normal group in all age groups studied. In the distribution of total testosterone according to age, there was no difference between the normal and the patient in the twenties. After the twenties, the testosterone levels were higher in the patients than the normal females. CONCLUSION: There were significant differences in mean values of plasma DHEA-S and total testosterone between the patients and the normal females although individuals in both groups were largely wit,hin normal range of the hormones.
Alopecia* ; Dehydroepiandrosterone Sulfate* ; Dehydroepiandrosterone* ; Female* ; Hair Follicle ; Humans ; Male ; Plasma* ; Reference Values ; Testosterone*

PURPOSE: This study aimed to determine the effects of the long-term use of dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS) on rat prostates and testes as well as on serum testosterone and DHEAS levels. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty male rats aged 4 to 5 months were studied. A DHEAS suspension of 5 mg/kg per rat was administered orally to the 15 rats in the experimental group 5 times a week, whereas saline was administered concurrently to the 15 rats in the control group. Intracardiac blood samples were drawn to determine hormone levels, and histological samples of prostate and testes were evaluated under light microscopy. RESULTS: At the end of the 6-month study period, histological examinations performed on prostate preparations showed that the atrophy score of the experimental group was significantly lower than the scores of the sham and control groups (p<0.001 and p<0.001, respectively). The serum total testosterone and DHEAS levels of the rats in the study group were significantly increased (p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: In our study, we determined that the long-term use of DHEAS does not have any detrimental effects on the prostate or the testis; on the contrary, it protects the prostate from atrophy, which is imperative for the continuation of fertility as well as for increasing serum testosterone and DHEAS levels.
Aged ; Aging ; Animals ; Atrophy ; Dehydroepiandrosterone ; Dehydroepiandrosterone Sulfate ; Fertility ; Humans ; Light ; Male ; Prostate ; Rats ; Salicylamides ; Testis ; Testosterone

BACKGROUND: The development of androgenetic alopecia is thought to be caused by increased androgen action on the hair follicles in the genetically predisposed person. Although most reports about dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate(DHEA-S) and total testosterone in female androgenetic patients are within normal limits, there are some controversies about comparing the mean values of the patients with those of the normal control group. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to compare the mean value of plasma DHEA-S and total testosterone of the patients with those of normal controls according to their ages, and evaluate relations between hormone levels and clinical type and hyperandrogenic symptoms(HAS). METHOD: We examined 60 female patients with androgenetic alopecia for clinical types, symptoms, family histories, and other systemic diseases. The mean value of the patients were compared with those of 42 normal controls according to ages, clinical types, and HAS. RESULTS: 1. Forty two cases(70.0%) were Ludwig type I, 16 cases(26.7%) were type II, 2 cases(3.3%) were type III. 26 cases(43.3%) were between 20-29 years, 19 cases(31.7%) were between 30-39 years. 2. Common age of onset was between 20-29years(23 cases, 38.3%) and below 19 years old(21 cases, 35.0%). 3. There were 32 cases(53.3%) who showed HAS and seborrhea was the most common symptom (20 cases). 4. There were 33 cases(55.0%) who showed a family history and the father was the most common relative(19 cases). Family history of first degree relative was 31 cases(51.7%). 5. Plasma DHEA-S levels of both patients and control group were all within normal limits, and there were no significant differences in the mean values between the patients ( 1633.03+/-736.31 ng/ml) and normal controls(1764.72+/-690.94 ng/ml). There were also no difference between the patients and controls according to their ages. 6. In total testosterone, 7 out of 60 patients and 3 out of 42 normal controls were beyond the normal limit and there were no significant differences in the mean values between the patients(0.548+/-0.386 ng/ml) and normal controls(0.563+/-0.501 ng/ml). There were also no differences between the patients and controls according to their ages. 7. There was no significant difference in the mean value of DHEA-S and total testosterone among type I, types II & III, and normal controls. 8. There was no significant difference in the mean value of DHEA-S and total testosterone among patients with HAS, without HAS, and normal controls. CONCLUSION: There were no significant differences in the mean values of plasma DHEA-S and total testosterone between the patients and normal controls and no significant differences in the mean values of hormone levels according to clinical type and HAS.
Age of Onset ; Alopecia* ; Dehydroepiandrosterone Sulfate* ; Dehydroepiandrosterone* ; Dermatitis, Seborrheic ; Fathers ; Female* ; Hair Follicle ; Humans ; Plasma ; Testosterone*

OBJECTIVETo investigate the relationship of serum dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) levels and female precocious puberty.

METHODSThe serum levels of DHEA and dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS) were measured by ELISA in 60 idiopathic central precocious puberty (ICPP) girls, 62 premature thelarche (PT) girls and 31 age-matched health prepuberty girls. Bone age,volume of uterus and ovary, DHEA and DHEAS were re-measured in 3, 12 months after treatment with Diphereline in ICPP girls.

RESULT(1) The Log(DHEA) and Log(DHEAS) were (0.81 +/-0.36)microg/L and (2.31 +/-0.31)microg/L in ICPP group, (0.72 +/-0.30)microg/L and (2.31 +/-0.28)mg/L in PT group, and (0.32 +/-0.26)microg/L and (2.16+/-0.27)microg/L in controls (P <0.05). However, no significant differences were found between ICPP and PT group (P >0.05). Moreover, the serum levels of DHEA and DHEAS in precocious puberty girls with Tanner III stage were significant higher than those with Tanner II stage (P <0.05). (2) With bivariate correlation analysis, Log(DHEA) was positively correlated with height, bone age, volume of uterus and ovary (r=0.429, 0.339, 0.217, 0.282; all P<0.05), while no significant correlation with Log(LH peak), Log(FSH peak) and BMI (r=0.135, -0.165, 0.059). Log(DHEAS) was positively correlated with height,bone age and volume of ovary (r=0.319, 0.210, 0.181; P <0.05), while no correlated with Log(LH peak), Log(FSH peak), volume of uterus and BMI (r=0.012, -0.173, 0.146 and 0.081 respectively). (3) Serum Log (DHEA) and Log(DHEAS) of 32 ICPP were decreased from (0.83 +/-0.35) microg/L and (2.27 +/-0.30)microg/L to (0.68 +/-0.44)microg/L and (2.11 +/-0.43)microg/L (P<0.05) 3 months after treatment. The serum Log(DHEA) and Log(DHEAS) in 12 months after treatment were (0.78 +/-0.30)microg/L and (2.40+/-0.34)microg/L, which was not significantly different with that before treatment (P>0.05). However, the volume of uterus and ovary, bone age/age in 12 months after treatment were significantly different with those before treatment (2.82 +/-1.52 compared with 1.09 +/-0.50 ml, 3.15 +/-1.13 compared with 1.18 +/-0.42 ml, 1.43 +/-0.23 compared with 1.25 +/-0.12, all P<0.05).

CONCLUSION(1) The serum levels of DHEA and DHEAS are increased in precocious puberty girls with the development of Tanner stage. (2) Serum levels of DHEA and DHEAS are declined transiently when the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis is inhibited. (3) Serum DHEA is associated with the acceleration of growth and bone age in precocious puberty girls.

Child ; Dehydroepiandrosterone ; blood ; Dehydroepiandrosterone Sulfate ; blood ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Female ; Humans ; Puberty, Precocious ; blood

PURPOSE: To determine whether sleep-related erections(SREs) occur during chronic vegetative state and if so, to investigate what factors are involved. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty-six men in a vegetative state aged 16~65 were selected. Exclusion criteria were the lack of informed consent, mean blood pressure under 90/60 mmHg during last 3 days, erectile dysfunction before brain injury, and a history of any anti-androgen treatment. Serum testosterone, albumin, sex hormone binding globulin(SHBG), and dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate(DHEAS) were assayed, and bioavailable testosterone(cBT) and free testosterone(cFT) were calculated. Nocturnal penile erections were counted and evaluated using the Rigiscan device for72 hours. Data on the number of erections, erection duration, minimal and maximal base tumescence, minimal and maximal tip tumescence, and base and tip rigidity were taken. RESULTS: SREs were noted in 25 patients. The mean erection number was 4.65+/-3.93(1~15), and the mean erection duration was 128.85+/-46.86 minutes(0~478.5). SREs were negatively correlated with age(r=-0.445, p<0.05), systolic BP(r=-0.394, p<0.05) and diastolic BP(r=-0.403, p<0.05), but positively correlated with DHEAS(r=0.395, p<0.05). SREs were not correlated with total testosterone, cBT or cFT. CONCLUSIONS: These preliminary findings suggest that SREs are a normal occurrence in vegetative patients. They contribute to penile blood perfusion if the supraspinal erection control center is intact and serum testosterone level is above the minimum required for SREs.
Blood Pressure ; Brain Injuries ; Dehydroepiandrosterone ; Dehydroepiandrosterone Sulfate ; Erectile Dysfunction ; Humans ; Informed Consent ; Male ; Perfusion ; Persistent Vegetative State* ; Testosterone

OBJECTIVE: The role of steroid hormones in the control of human parturition has been a subject of debate. The objective of the study was to examine if changes in fetal plasma cortisol or dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEA-S) are associated with human term parturition. METHODS: Fetal plasma cortisol and DHEA-S were measured in 374 singleton pregnancies delivered at term. Umbilical cord blood was obtained from patients in the following 6 groups: 1) preterm gestations undergoing cordocentesis for clinical indications before 36 weeks of gestation (n=93), 2) women undergoing cordocentesis for clinical indications after 36 weeks of gestation (n=9), 3) elective cesarean section (C/S) at term without labor (n=140), 4) C/S at term with early labor (cervical dilatationp< or = 3 cm) (n=18), 5) C/S at term with active labor (cervical dilatation 4cm or greater) (n=26), 6) vaginal delivery at term (n=88). Corticosteroids were not administered before blood collection. RESULTS: 1) Fetal plasma cortisol remain unchanged until 36 weeks of gestation and increased thereafter to term; 2) Active labor was associated with a significant increase in fetal plasma cortisol; 3) Fetal plasma DHEA-S increased in term gestation (>36 weeks) but did not increase during active labor; 4) The cortisol/ DHEA-S ratio (stress index) increased with advancing gestation and with active labor at term. CONCLUSION: Human parturition at term is associated with an increase in fetal plasma cortisol and cortisol/DHEA-S ratio, but not DHEA-S.
Adrenal Cortex Hormones ; Cesarean Section ; Cordocentesis ; Dehydroepiandrosterone Sulfate* ; Dehydroepiandrosterone* ; Dilatation ; Female ; Fetal Blood ; Humans ; Hydrocortisone* ; Parturition* ; Plasma* ; Pregnancy*

Animals ; Atherosclerosis ; blood ; drug therapy ; pathology ; Dehydroepiandrosterone ; blood ; physiology ; therapeutic use ; Dehydroepiandrosterone Sulfate ; blood ; therapeutic use ; Hormone Replacement Therapy ; Humans