Dehydroepiandrosterone in Therapy of Allergic Diseases

Abstract

Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) and its sulfate derivative (DHEA-S) are weak androgens produced in the adrenals and serve as primary precursors in biosynthesis of both, androgens and estrogens. These hormones are proposed to perform immunoenhancing activities and may play a crucial role in regulating cytokine production by Th1/Th2 cells; however, their role in immune-mediated diseases is controversial. The primary physiological role of DHEA-(S) and its mechanism is unclear. This review is a brief summary of relevant scientific basis as well as clinical research on the role of dehydroepian drosterone in immune haemostasis and inflammatory diseases, including asthma, atopic diseases, chronic urticaria, pointing also to the significance of dehydroepiandrosterone therapy and the related US patents (1999-2005).

Chronic urticaria

“…Zenon Brzoza et al in their study showed that the decline in dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate observed in CU is associated with psychological distress. [ 23 ] Depression may also cause or aggravate CU. [ 24 ]…”

Asthma and Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA): Facts and Hypotheses

“…So far only some of the studies have evaluated the effectiveness of DHEA in the treatment of bronchial asthma. The patent-based research carried out points to DHEA-S capable of reducing asthmatic symptoms in patients with a history of exercise-induced asthma [for review [39]]. …”

Oxidative and electrophilic structural modification and catalytic regulation of human hydroxysteroid sulfotransferase 2a1 (hsult2a1)

“…A membrane bound receptor was identified in endothelial cells, heart, liver and kidney which reacts with DHEA specifically with high affinity and can lead to stimulation of endothelial nitric synthase (eNOS) expression as well as activity (Liu and Dillon, 2002). This can further lead to downstream effects including stimulating endothelial proliferation, increasing flow-mediated dilation (Williams et al, 2004), reducing adhesion of monocytes to endothelial cells, amelioration inflammatory responses, and the production of ROS (Kasperska-Zajac et al, 2009;Curatola et al, 2012). Clinical studies have revealed a protective effect of DHEA against cardiovascular diseases including ischemic heart disease and congestive heart failure (Beer et al, 1996;Feldman et al, 2001;Shufelt et al, 2010).…”