DEHYDROEPIANDROSTERONE - FOUNTAIN OF YOUTH OR SNAKE OIL

The adrenal steroid dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) and its sulfate este r, DHEA sulfate, are intriguing because of their dramatic age-related circulating decline and demonstrated salutary actions in animal models . This has led to the hypothesis that some of the degenerative complic ations of the aging process in man may be related to a relative defici t in these steroids. This remains a hypothesis, and, unfortunately, DH EA is now available openly in the market place and is being touted as a cure all and fountain of youth by entrepreneurs desiring profit. It is the aim of this review to synthesize the results of DHEA studies pe rformed in men and women so that a proper perspective can be reached r egarding its putative medicinal value.