ReviewInternational journal of molecular sciences2025
The Sex Hormone Precursors Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) and Its Sulfate Ester Form (DHEAS): Molecular Mechanisms and Actions on Human Body.
Review in International journal of molecular sciences, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 14 papers.
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Who cites it
14 citing papers in PubMed.
- Transhepatic Gradients Reveal Selective Hepatic Processing Defects With Systemic Consequences in Cirrhosis.Comprehensive physiology · 2026Article
- Stress-related salivary biomarkers - cortisol, dehydroepiandrosterone, alpha amylase, and suicidal ideation among young women living in Kampala's informal settlements.Social psychiatry and psychiatric epidemiology · 2026Article
- Chromogranin A and S100A12 protein measurement in hair of pigs: assay validation, changes across different production stages and comparison with other hair biomarkers.Veterinary research communications · 2026Article
- Early-Life High-Fat Diet Impairs Autophagy and Reduces GABANutrients · 2026Article
- The total mass, copy number, and distribution of hormones in the human bloodstream.PLoS biology · 2026Article
- Psychiatric and psychosocial characteristics of children with premature adrenarche: a prospective study.BMC pediatrics · 2026Article
- How changes in pubertal status and chronological age shape individual depressive symptoms by sex: testing a pathoplasty model.European child & adolescent psychiatry · 2026Article
- Evaluation of Sarcopenic Obesity in Patients with MASLD.Medical sciences (Basel, Switzerland) · 2026Article
- Beyond Estrogen: Distribution and Hormonal Correlates of Serum Testosterone Among Postmenopausal U.S. Women, NHANES 2011-2016 and 2021-2023.Journal of clinical medicine · 2026Article
- Low serum dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate is related to diabetic retinopathy in males with type 2 diabetes mellitus.Journal of translational medicine · 2026Article
- Endocrinology at a Miniature Level: Pluripotent Stem-Cell-Derived Organoid Models of Hypothalamus-Pituitary Axes.Biomolecules · 2026Review
- Elevated expression of immune checkpoints and pro-inflammatory cytokines as potential biomarkers in pediatric Vulvar Lichen Sclerosus.Scientific reports · 2026Article
- Steroid alterations in Cushing's disease persist after remission: ACTH-driven steroid changes dissociate from mood-regulatory neurosteroids.Frontiers in endocrinology · 2026Article
- Study on the effect and mechanism of Ershiyiwei Lvronghao concentrated Pills in the treatment of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease.Frontiers in pharmacology · 2025Article
Corrections and comments
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Authors and funding
3 authors.
Funding
Abstract
Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) and its sulfate ester form DHEAS, are multifunctional steroid hormones primarily produced in the adrenal cortex, with additional synthesis in peripheral tissues. DHEA/DHEAS serve as precursors to sex steroids and exhibit neuroprotective, anti-inflammatory, and immune-modulating effects. DHEA levels decline significantly with age, a phenomenon termed "adrenopause", prompting interest in supplementation to mitigate age-related symptoms. Particularly in postmenopausal women, DHEA has shown potential benefits in treating genitourinary syndrome of menopause (GSM), including improved vaginal health, lubrication, and sexual function. While intravaginal DHEA appears effective and safer than systemic estrogen therapy, especially for women with estrogen sensitivity, results remain mixed for oral administration. DHEA and DHEAS exhibit diverse neuroactive properties through modulation of GABA-A, NMDA, and sigma-1 receptors. These neurosteroids contribute to neuroprotection, synaptic plasticity, and mood regulation. Altered DHEA/DHEAS levels have been implicated in neurodegenerative disorders and depression, with emerging evidence supporting their potential therapeutic value. In addition, DHEA plays a multifaceted role in aging-related physiological changes. It supports muscle anabolism, bone density maintenance, cardiovascular protection, and immune regulation. Though supplementation shows potential benefits, especially in conjunction with resistance training, results remain discrepant. Current evidence has revealed that the therapeutic effects of DHEA supplementation are inconsistent in different human systems among different studies. The diversity of results is mainly due to heterogeneous receptor distribution, various action pathways, and distinct tissue responses in different systems. Further research is needed to define its efficacy and dosage across various systems.
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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.