Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), a supplement popular with men for its possible anti-aging effects, seems to increase macrophage foam cell formation in vitro, Australian researchers writing American College of Cardiology report.
DHEA and its sulphate ester (DHEAS) are sex hormone precursors of mainly adrenal origin, with weak androgenic action. To date, DHEA and DHEAS have been an endocrine paradox: they are the most abundant steroids in the circulation, yet their biologic significance is unknown, write Dr. David Celermajer, from the Royal Prince Alfred Hospital in Sydney, and colleagues.
The researchers conducted several in vitro experiments to determine how DHEA affects monocyte adhesion to vascular endothelium and human foam cell formation.
They found that DHEA promoted foam cell formation. Treatment with the agent caused a dose-dependent rise in male macrophage cholesterol ester content. This effect seemed to be mediated by the androgen receptor and involved an upregulation of two key lipoprotein-processing enzymes.
In contrast, DHEA did not have a significant effect on monocyte-endothelial adhesion or on endothelial cell expression of cell adhesion molecules, the investigators report.
"The potentially pro-atherogenic effect of DHEA on male macrophage foam cell formation is consistent with available interpopulation and age-specific epidemiologic data on DHEA concentrations, in the context of the natural history of atherosclerosis," Dr. Celermajer's team notes.
"Further basic and clinical studies are required to further elucidate the potentially adverse cardiovascular effects of DHEA," they add.
Reference
Ng, M. Nakhla, S. Baoutina, A. et al. 2003, 'Dehydroepiandrosterone, an adrenalandrogen, increases human foam cell formation,' Journal of the American College of Cardiology, vol. 42, pp. 1967-1974.