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

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

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*

OBJECTIVETo observe the psychological behavior of girls with idiopathic central precocious puberty (ICPP) before and after treatment by gonadotropin-releasing hormone analogue (GnRHa).

METHODSRaven's Standard Progressive Matrices(SPM), Achenbach's Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL), Self-Esteem Scale (SES), and Body-Esteem Scale (BES) were used to assess the psychological behavior in the ICPP girls before and after GnRHa treatment, as well as in control girls. The serum levels of dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) and dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS) were measured by ELISA before and after GnRHa treatment.

RESULT(1) The SES and BES scores in ICPP were significantly lower than those of controls(P <0.05). The CBCL scores in depressed, withdrawn,aggressive and somatic complaint assessment were significantly higher in ICPP group than those of control group. (2) The SES score, the body strength scores for BES 12 months after treatment were significantly higher than those pretreatment (P <0.05). Serum DHEA levels in ICPP group and control group were Log(0.77 +/-0.36)microg/L and Log (0.28 +/-0.22) microg/L respectively, with a significant difference (P <0.01). Serum DHEA and DHEAS of ICPP 3 months after treatment were decreased from Log(0.83 +/-0.35)microg/L and Log(2.27 +/-0.30)microg/L to Log(0.68 +/-0.44)microg/L and Log (2.11 +/-0.43)microg/L (both P <0.05). The serum DHEA and DHEAS levels 12 months after treatment were Log(0.78 +/-0.30)microg/L and Log(2.40 +/-0.34)microg/L, there was no significant difference before and after treatment (P >0.05). (3) The SES score,the weight concern and body strength scores for BES were negatively correlated with serum DHEA and DHEAS levels in precocious puberty girls (r=-0.492,-0.356,-0.202 and -0.216, all P <0.05). The nine CBCL factors were not correlated with serum DHEA levels.

CONCLUSIONPrecocious puberty girls are prone to lower self-esteem and less confidence, which are correlated with the increase of serum DHEA levels. There is more frequency to be depressed, withdrawn, aggressive and complaining in these girls, however, which are not correlated with serum DHEA levels. GnRHa may reverse the problem of psychological behavior in ICPP girls.

Child ; Dehydroepiandrosterone ; blood ; Dehydroepiandrosterone Sulfate ; blood ; Female ; Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone ; analogs & derivatives ; therapeutic use ; Humans ; Puberty, Precocious ; drug therapy ; psychology ; Surveys and Questionnaires

PURPOSE: Morbidity and mortality from cardiovascular disease have increased in Korea. Some studies have suggested that dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate(DHEAS) may play an important role in the pathogenesis or prevention of cardiovascular disease. However, insufficient data are available for Korean subjects, and the results of the available studies are controversial. We conducted this study to investigate the relationship between DHEAS and cardiovascular risk factors. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We evaluated 621 men who visited Health Promotion Center at the National University Hospital in Pusan from March 2001 to June 2002 and checked their plasma DHEAS concentration, body mass index, plasma lipid profile, blood pressure, and body fat percent. We assessed the effect of plasma DHEAS concentration on these factors. RESULTS: Plasma DHEAS concentration decreased with age. The mean concentration was 210.6microgram/dl. The values were positively correlated with body mass index, body fat percent, waist circumference, hip circumference, and blood pressure(p<0.05). Serum triglyceride correlated positively with serum DHEAS concentration(r=0.0924; p<0.05), and increasing HDL-cholesterol was related to higher serum DHEAS after adjustment for age and body mass index(beta= 0.060; p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests that the plasma DHEAS concentration can impact HDL-cholesterol, which has a protective effect against cardiovascular disease. However, other studies show different results, and most such studies are cross-sectional. Large well-controlled studies are necessary to prove any effect of plasma DHEAS concentration on cardiovascular disease risk factors.
Adipose Tissue ; Blood Pressure ; Body Mass Index ; Busan ; Cardiovascular Diseases ; Dehydroepiandrosterone Sulfate* ; Dehydroepiandrosterone* ; Health Promotion ; Hip ; Humans ; Korea ; Male ; Mortality ; Plasma ; Risk Factors* ; Triglycerides ; Waist Circumference

AIMTo establish the rat model of morphine-induced conditioned place preference (CPP) and to investigate the effects of morphine psychical dependence on the levels of neurosteroids in rat brain.

METHODSRats were ip administered morphine 5 mg x kg(-1) for 10 days to induce CPP in morphine group. The concentrations of dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), pregnenolone (PREG), allopregnanolone (AP), dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DS) and pregnenolone sulfate (PS) in nucleus accumbens (Nac), hypothalamus (Ht), amygdale (A) and plasma of rats were determined with liquid chromatography-negative atmospheric pressure ionization mass spectrometry (LC-MS).

RESULTSTrained with morphine for 10 days resulted in the acquisition of CPP in morphine group with the time that the rats spent in drug-pairing room was longer than that of control group. Compared with control group, morphine treatment could significantly decrease the contents of DHEA in Nac and plasma, decrease that of PREG in Ht.

CONCLUSIONMorphine could induce the CPP in rats and affected the contents of some neurosteroids in rat brain, which suggests that endogenous neurosteroids might he related to the development of morphine dependence.

Amygdala ; metabolism ; Animals ; Brain ; metabolism ; Conditioning, Operant ; physiology ; Dehydroepiandrosterone ; blood ; metabolism ; Dehydroepiandrosterone Sulfate ; blood ; metabolism ; Hypothalamus ; metabolism ; Male ; Morphine Dependence ; metabolism ; Nucleus Accumbens ; metabolism ; Pregnanolone ; blood ; metabolism ; Pregnenolone ; blood ; metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to measure maternal plasma androgens and estrogen levels and to assess the role of these hormones in the pathogenesis of preeclampsia. METHODS: The groups consisted of 28 healthy pregnant women as well as 24 pregnant women with severe preeclampsia. Plasma total testosterone (T), estradiol (E2), dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS) and androstenedione (ADD) levels were measured. Statistical analysis was achieved with Student's t-test by using SPSS for Windows and the Pearson's coefficient of correlation was calculated. RESULTS: No significant differences were observed between the two groups regarding age, gestational age, body mass index, parity, hematocrit and platelet, whereas significant differences were noted regarding systolic and diastolic blood pressure, gestational weeks at delivery, birth weight, serum creatinine, uric acid and urea. In preeclampsia group, serum total testosterone and ADD levels were determined to be higher than the control group (p<0.05). However, there was no significant differences in plasma levels of DHEAS and E2 among the two groups (p>0.05). Serum testosterone levels were positively correlated with systolic and diastolic pressure and uric acid and negatively correlated with birth weight. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that the elevated plasma levels of testosterone could contribute to the pathogenesis of preeclampsia.
Androgens ; Androstenedione ; Birth Weight ; Blood Platelets ; Blood Pressure ; Body Mass Index ; Creatinine ; Dehydroepiandrosterone ; Dehydroepiandrosterone Sulfate ; Estradiol ; Estrogens* ; Female ; Gestational Age ; Hematocrit ; Humans ; Parity ; Plasma* ; Pre-Eclampsia ; Pregnancy ; Pregnancy Trimester, Third* ; Pregnancy* ; Pregnant Women ; Testosterone ; Urea ; Uric Acid

BACKGROUND: Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) is an androgen precursor, and is known to be decreased by the aging process. DHEA has been known to have a protective effect on insulin resistance and cardiovascular disease in men, but remains controversial in women. The aim of this study was to elucidate the role of DHEA on insulin resistance, and the risk for cardiovascular disease, in women. METHODS: We analyzed the relationship between DHEA sulfate (DHEAS), known to have a longer half-life and less diurnal variation than DHEA, and insulin resistance syndrome (IRS) in 471 non-diabetic women from an urban community diabetes prevalence study. Serum DHEAS concentrations were measured using a commercially available radioimmunoassay kit. RESULTS: 1. The frequencies of obesity, impaired glucose tolerance, hypertension and dyslipidemia were 25.3, 8.5, 21.9 and 6.2%, respectively, and the frequency of IRS was 16.5%. 2. DHEAS was significantly inversely correlated with age (r=-0.47, p<0.001), systolic blood pressure (r=-0.18, p<0.001), diastolic blood pressure (r=-0.10, p<0.05), fasting serum glucose (r=-0.10, p<0.05), postchallenge 2 hour glucose (r=-0.12, p<0.01) and triglycerides (r=-0.16, p<0.01). 3. As serum DHEAS concentrations, by quartiles, were decreased, the age-adjusted frequency of hypertension was significantly increased (p<0.05). 4. A Multiple linear regression analysis revealed that DHEAS was significantly associated with age (p<0.0001) and BMI (p<0.05). 5. A Logistic regression analysis showed that DHEAS was not associated with IRS after adjustment for age. CONCLUSION: DHEAS is inversely associated with age. DHEAS has no harmful effect, and may even have a protective role, on insulin resistance syndrome. Prospective examinations of DHEAS and insulin resistance syndrome in women are needed to confirm the mechanism for the association between DHEAS and the development of cardiovascular disease.
Aging ; Blood Glucose ; Blood Pressure ; Cardiovascular Diseases ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Dehydroepiandrosterone Sulfate* ; Dehydroepiandrosterone* ; Dyslipidemias ; Fasting ; Female ; Glucose ; Half-Life ; Humans ; Hypertension ; Insulin Resistance* ; Insulin* ; Linear Models ; Logistic Models ; Male ; Obesity ; Radioimmunoassay ; Triglycerides

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to measure maternal plasma androgens, estrogen and leptin levels and to assess the role of these hormones in the pathogenesis of preeclampsia. METHODS: The groups consisted of 32 healthy pregnant women as well as 28 pregnant women with severe preeclampsia. Plasma leptin, total testosterone (T), estradiol (E2), dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS) and androstenedione (ADD) levels were measured. Statistical analysis was achieved with Student's t-test by using SPSS for Windows and the Pearson's coefficient of correlation was calculated. RESULTS: No significant differences were observed between the two groups regarding age, gestational age, body mass index, parity, hematocrit and platelet, whereas significant differences were noted regarding systolic and diastolic blood pressure, gestational weeks at delivery, birth weight, serum creatinine, uric acid and urea (p<0.05). In preeclampsia group, serum total testosterone and ADD levels were determined to be higher than the control group (p<0.05). However, there was no significant differences in plasma levels of DHEAS and E2 among the two groups. The plasma levels of leptin were not significantly increased in the preeclampsia group. Serum testosterone levels were positively correlated with systolic and diastolic pressure and uric acid and negatively correlated with birth weight. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that the elevated plasma levels of testosterone could contribute to the pathogenesis of preeclampsia.
Androgens ; Androstenedione ; Birth Weight ; Blood Platelets ; Blood Pressure ; Body Mass Index ; Creatinine ; Dehydroepiandrosterone ; Dehydroepiandrosterone Sulfate ; Estradiol ; Estrogens ; Female ; Gestational Age ; Gonadal Steroid Hormones* ; Hematocrit ; Humans ; Leptin* ; Parity ; Plasma* ; Pre-Eclampsia* ; Pregnant Women ; Testosterone ; Urea ; Uric Acid