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Journal of the American College of Nutrition, Vol. 22, No. 5, 363-371 (2003)
Published by the American College of Nutrition

Original Research

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

Marian L. Kohut, PhD, James R. Thompson, MS, Jeff Campbell, BA, Greg A. Brown, MS, Matthew D. Vukovich, PhD, Dave A. Jackson, MS and Doug S. King, PhD

Department of Health and Human Performance, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa

Address correspondence to: Marian L. Kohut, Ph.D., Department of Health and Human Performance, Iowa State University, 235 Forker Building, Ames IA 50011. E-mail: mkohut{at}iastate.edu

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-1ß, and interferon (IFN)-{gamma}. 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-{gamma}, 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.

Key words: aging, cytokines, lymphocyte, hormones, androstenedione, DHEA






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Copyright © 2003 by the American College of Nutrition.