Dehydroepiandrosterone, dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate and related steroids: their role in inflammatory, allergic and immunological disorders

Joseph S Dillon

doi:10.2174/1568010054022079

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Journal article

Dehydroepiandrosterone, dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate and related steroids: their role in inflammatory, allergic and immunological disorders

Joseph S Dillon

Current drug targets. Inflammation & allergy, Vol.4(3), pp.377-385

06/2005

DOI: 10.2174/1568010054022079

PMID: 16101547

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Abstract

Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) and dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS) are metabolic intermediates in the production of potent androgens, estrogens and other less well-characterized steroids. DHEA(S) and closely related steroid hormones have a variety of immunological effects both in vitro and in vivo in experimental animals and humans. Many of these effects have been demonstrated in animal models where there is little circulating DHEA(S), and the demonstrated effects are generally seen at concentrations of DHEA(S) which are supra-physiological in man. The physiological role of DHEA(S) in the immunological system is unknown. Furthermore, the molecular mechanism of action of DHEA(S) is unclear. In this review, I focus on studies of the immunological effects of DHEA(S) and closely related steroid metabolites and analogs, mainly derived from literature published in the last five years. My purpose is to describe the demonstrated effects and to highlight some of the remaining major research issues in this field. These issues include defining the molecular mechanism of DHEA(S) action; determining whether the effect of DHEA(S) is related to the steroid itself or to a metabolic product of DHEA; determining the relationship of physiological function to the pharmacological effects; and determining the molecular basis for species-specific differences in effects.

Aging - immunology

Animals

Anti-Inflammatory Agents - pharmacology

Autoimmune Diseases - drug therapy

Cytokines - physiology

Dehydroepiandrosterone - blood

Dehydroepiandrosterone - physiology

Dehydroepiandrosterone - therapeutic use

Dehydroepiandrosterone Sulfate - therapeutic use

Humans

Hypersensitivity - physiopathology

Immune System Diseases - blood

Immune System Diseases - physiopathology

Inflammation - physiopathology

Receptors, Steroid - drug effects

Receptors, Steroid - physiology

Stress, Physiological - immunology

Stress, Physiological - physiopathology

Th1 Cells - physiology

Th2 Cells - physiology

Details

Title: Subtitle: Dehydroepiandrosterone, dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate and related steroids: their role in inflammatory, allergic and immunological disorders
Creators: Joseph S Dillon - Roy J. and Lucille A. Carver College of Medicine
Resource Type: Journal article
Publication Details: Current drug targets. Inflammation & allergy, Vol.4(3), pp.377-385
DOI: 10.2174/1568010054022079
PMID: 16101547
ISSN: 1568-010X
Grant note: AG55741 / NIA NIH HHS R01 AG018928 / NIA NIH HHS
Language: English
Date published: 06/2005
Academic Unit: Fraternal Order of Eagles Diabetes Research Center; Endocrinology and Metabolism; Internal Medicine
Record Identifier: 9984359682902771

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