Ingestion of a Dietary Supplement Containing Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) and Androstenedione Has Minimal Effect on Immune Function in Middle-Aged Men

• Published in: Journal of the American College of Nutrition Vol. 22; no. 5; pp. 363 - 371
• Main Authors: Kohut, Marian L, Thompson, James R, Campbell, Jeff, Brown, Greg A, Vukovich, Matthew D, Jackson, Dave A, King, Doug S
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States American College of Nutrition 01.10.2003
• Subjects: Adjuvants, Immunologic; androstenedione; Androstenedione - administration & dosage; Blood Chemical Analysis; blood serum; concanavalin A; Cytokines - biosynthesis; Dehydroepiandrosterone - administration & dosage; Dietary Supplements; Double-Blind Method; estradiol; Humans; Immune System - drug effects; Immunity, Cellular - drug effects; ingestion; interferon-gamma; interleukin-10; interleukin-1beta; interleukin-2; interleukin-4; Lymphocyte Activation - drug effects; lymphocyte proliferation; Male; men; Middle Aged; middle-aged adults; mononuclear leukocytes; phytohemagglutinin; Plant Preparations - administration & dosage; prasterone; Serenoa repens; testosterone; Tribulus terrestris
• ISSN: 0731-5724; 1541-1087
• DOI: 10.1080/07315724.2003.10719319

Objective: This study investigated the effects of four weeks of intake of a supplement containing dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), androstenedione and herbal extracts on immune function in middle-aged men. Design: Subjects consumed either an oral placebo or an oral supplement for four weeks. The supplement contained a total daily dose of 150 mg DHEA, 300 mg androstenedione, 750 mg Tribulus terrestris, 625 mg chrysin, 300 mg indole-3-carbinol and 540 mg saw palmetto. Measurements: Peripheral blood mononuclear cells were used to assess phytohemagglutinin(PHA)-induced lymphocyte proliferation and cytokine production. The cytokines measured were interleukin (IL)-2, IL-4, IL-10, IL-1β, and interferon (IFN)-γ. Serum free testosterone, androstenedione, estradiol, dihydrotestosterone (DHT) were also measured. Results: The supplement significantly increased serum levels of androstenedione, free testosterone, estradiol and DHT during week 1 to week 4. Supplement intake did not affect LPS or ConA proliferation and had minimal effect on PHA-induced proliferation. LPS-induced production of IL-1beta, and PHA-induced IL-2, IL-4, IL-10, or IFN-gamma production was not altered by the supplement. The addition of the same supplement, DHEA or androstenedione alone to lymphocyte cultures in vitro did not alter lymphocyte proliferation, IL-2, IL-10, or IFN-γ, but did increase IL-4. In addition, serum HDL-C concentration significantly declined. Conclusion: These findings suggest that, although chronic intake of a complex dietary supplement containing DHEA, androstenedione and herbal extracts increases serum androgen levels, it has minimal effect on immune function in middle-aged men.