Dehydroepiandrosterone – Clinical Trials Feeds

Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) is a natural steroid prohormone produced from cholesterol by adrenal glands, gonads, adipose tissue, brain and skin (by an autocrine mechanism). DHEA is the precursor of androstenedione, which can undergo further conversion to produce androgen testosterone and estrogens estrone and estradiol. DHEA is also a potent sigma-1 agonist.

Dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS) is the sulfated version of DHEA. This conversion is reversibly catalyzed by sulfotransferases (SULT2A1) primarily in the adrenals, liver and small intestine. In blood, most DHEA is found as DHEAS with levels that are about 300 times higher than those of free DHEA. Oral-ingested DHEA is converted to its sulfate when passing through the intestines and liver. While DHEA levels naturally reach their peak in the early hours of the morning, DHEAS levels show no diurnal variation. From a practical standpoint, measurement of DHEAS is preferable to DHEA, as levels are more stable.