Dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS) is the most abundant circulatin
g steroid hormone in humans and can readily be converted to its parent
steroid DHEA by tissue sulfatases. Yet, a biologic function for these
steroids has not been defined. The link between DHEA and aging has be
en raised by: (1) its well documented age-related decline, and (2) a p
reventive effect of DHEA on numerous age-related illnesses: ischemic h
eart-disease, cognitive impairment, immunodeficiency, malignancies, os
teoporosis. These effects have been suggested by epidemiological studi
es in humans. Animal studies support a protective effect of DHEA on th
ese age-related diseases. However, it remains unknown whether these re
sults in animals can be transposed in humans, because adrenal secretio
n of DHEA seems to be particular to primates. In humans, only a few st
udies have been performed. The effects of oral supplementation with DH
EA have, so far, focused on the possible metabolic effects of DHEA. A
few studies have shown: the absence of any side-effects; no change in
body-weight; conflicting results on body-composition and lipids and no
effect on insulin-tolerance. The latest study showed a beneficial eff
ect on well-being but these results need to be confirmed. (C) 1997 Els
evier Science Ireland Ltd.