Endocrine Abstracts

Objectives: The aim of this study was to analyze the influence of DHEA therapy on fibrinogen, plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) and tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) plasma concentrations in men with decreased serum DHEAS levels and angiographically verified coronary heart disease (CHD).

Material and methods: The study included thirty men aged 41–60 years (mean age 52±0.90 yr) with serum DHEAS concentration <2000 μg/l, who were randomized into a double-blind, placebo-controlled, cross-over trial. Subjects completed the 80 days study of 40 days of 150 mg oral DHEA daily or placebo, and next groups were changed after 30 days of wash-out. Fasting early morning blood samples were obtained at baseline and after each treatment to determine serum hormones levels (testosterone, DHEA-S, LH, FSH and estradiol) and also fibrinogen, plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) and tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) plasma concentrations.

Results: Administration of DHEA was associated with 4.5-fold increase in DHEA-S levels. Estrogen levels significantly increased after DHEA from 22.1±0.7 pg/mL to 27.4±1.6 pg/L (mean±S.E.M.; P<0.05), while testosterone levels did not changed. Fibrynogen concentrations significantly decreased in DHEA group from 4.5±0.3 g/L to 3.83±0.2 g/L (P<0.05 vs placebo). Changes of tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) and plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) were not statistical significant (respectively: 8.37±0.4 ng/mL vs 8.93±0.5 ng/mL and 82.3±6.3 ng/mL vs 92.7±9.1 ng/mL (mean±SEM; NS vs placebo). Mean testosterone levels did change. Tolerance of the treatment was good and no adverse effects were observed.

Conclusions: DHEA therapy in dose of 150 mg daily during 40 days in men with DHEAS levels <2000 μg/l and angiographically verified coronary heart disease (CHD) was connected with significant decreasing of fibrinogen concentration and increasing of estradiol levels, and did not influence on plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) and tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) plasma concentrations.