Authors
Miller RA. Chrisp C.
Institution
Department of Pathology and Geriatrics Center, University of Michigan School
of Medicine, Ann Arbor VA Medical Center, USA.
Title
Lifelong treatment with
oral DHEA sulfate does not preserve immune function, prevent
disease, or improve survival in genetically heterogeneous mice.
Source
Journal of the American Geriatrics Society. 47(8):960-6, 1999 Aug.
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: To determine whether lifelong exposure to
dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate extends the lifespan or retards immune
senescence in mice. DESIGN: Double-blind, placebo-controlled intervention
trial. SETTING: A specific pathogen-free rodent vivarium. PARTICIPANTS: 120
mice bred as a cross between CB6F1 females and C3D2F1 males. INTERVENTION:
DHEAS at 100 microg/mL in drinking water from weaning until death.
MEASUREMENT: Age at death, cause of death, antibody production after
erythrocyte immunization, and T cell subset profiles in peripheral blood at
ages 8 and 18 months. RESULTS: DHEAS ingestion did not lead to a significant
increase in mean or maximal longevity: the 95% confidence interval for DHEAS
effect on mean lifespan ranged from +35 days to -80 days. There were no
significant effects of DHEAS on incidence of lethal illnesses, except for a
trend toward higher levels of mammary adenocarcinoma in DHEAS-treated females
and mouse urinary syndrome in DHEAS-treated males. DHEAS
treatment did not improve the ability of middle-aged mice to
produce antibody to a foreign particulate antigen, and it did not alter the
proportions of age-sensitive T cell subsets in middle-aged animals.
CONCLUSION: Although differences among species in pharmacokinetics complicate
interpretation of studies in which DHEA or DHEAS is administered to rodents,
our data provide no support for the idea that chronic exposure to this
steroid retards immune senescence or prevents late life illness.