The role of dehydroepiandrosterone in AIDS

The use of DHEA for the treatment of AIDS shows some promise, although controlled trials have not been performed to evaluate its efficacy. Low serum concentrations of DHEA have been correlated with states of decreased immune function in humans, since concentrations are lowest in early childhood, lat...

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Bibliographic Details
Published inThe Annals of pharmacotherapy Vol. 31; no. 5; p. 639
Main Authors Centurelli, M A, Abate, M A
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published United States 01.05.1997
Subjects
Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome - blood
Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome - drug therapy
Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome - immunology
Adolescent
Adult
Dehydroepiandrosterone - blood
Dehydroepiandrosterone - physiology
Dehydroepiandrosterone - therapeutic use
Female
Humans
Male
Middle Aged
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Summary:The use of DHEA for the treatment of AIDS shows some promise, although controlled trials have not been performed to evaluate its efficacy. Low serum concentrations of DHEA have been correlated with states of decreased immune function in humans, since concentrations are lowest in early childhood, late adulthood, and as HIV disease progresses. DHEA appears to possess immunomodulating effects, perhaps by enhancing the secretion of IL-2 from activated T cells as demonstrated in a murine model. A decline in DHEA concentrations, particularly when initially less than 2.01 micrograms/L, might also prove to be a predictor of HIV disease progression. It is also plausible that a decrease in DHEA concentrations can be used to predict a decline in overall health status. Although the role of DHEA in the treatment of AIDS has not yet been determined, the drug appears to show potential for clinical benefit that should be evaluated in large, randomized, controlled trials.
ISSN:1060-0280