Biologic Effects of Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) in Humans

National Institute on Aging (NIA)56 enrolled

Overview

The purpose of this study is to determine whether DHEA replacement therapy decreases abdominal fat and improves insulin sensitivity.

Studies on rats and mice have shown that the adrenal hormone dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) reduces abdominal visceral fat and protects against insulin resistance. This study was done to learn if DHEA replacement therapy decreases abdominal obesity and improves insulin action in humans. Participants were randomly assigned to receive 50 mg per day of DHEA or a placebo at bedtime for 6 months. Participants underwent magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and oral glucose tolerance tests at the beginning and conclusion of the study. Other tests included measurements of hormones and lipids.

Study Type

INTERVENTIONAL

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

PREVENTION

Masking

DOUBLE

Enrollment

Conditions

Aging Obesity Insulin Resistance

Interventions

DHEADRUG

Eligibility

Sex: ALLMin age: 65 YearsMax age: 78 YearsHealthy volunteers:

Medical Language ↔ Plain English

Inclusion Criteria: * 65 to 78 years old * Physically healthy * Non-smoker * On stable medications for at least 6 months * Stable body weight for the past year Exclusion Criteria: * Serious active medical problems * Hormone therapy * Abnormal PSA (prostate specific antigen) in men

Locations (1)

Washington University School of Medicine

St Louis, Missouri, United States

Outcomes

Primary Outcomes

6-month change in visceral and subcutaneous abdominal fat

Data from ClinicalTrials.gov

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