Why Has Treatment For IBDs With DHEA Fallen By The Wayside?

[tex]

Is it because dehydroepiandrosterone is available over the counter?

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/quer ... t=Abstract

No significant side effects were noted in this trial. If it works in refractory cases, why wouldn't it work in typical cases?

Curious,
Tex

[mle_ii]

I looked at this a tiny bit, but I thought that DHEA wasn't the right precursor to the glucocorticoids. But then perhpas the other steroids can help as well.

[mle_ii]

Ok, DHEA indeed isn't a precursor to glutocorticoids, but it is to the other steroids. Some helpful for MC, others not so much.

More reading here:
http://www.perskyfarms.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=4832

[mle_ii]

Here's a more recent study on colitis and DHEA.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/quer ... med_docsum

Though they only talk about the anti-oxidant effects.

[tex]

You're right - they seemed to be interested in only the anti-oxidant effects. On the other hand, I'm only interested in the last line in the article:

Both DHEA and 7alpha-hydroxy-DHEA may prove useful in the prevention or treatment of colitis.

Thanks,
Tex

[harvest_table]

Why has treatment for IBD with DHEA fallen by the wayside? That's a good question.

This is a quote from another article refering to the first link you posted Tex

DHEA treatment of inflammatory bowel disease
Townsend Letter for Doctors and Patients, Dec, 2004 by Alan R. Gaby

Twenty patients (aged 18-45 years) with chronic active inflammatory bowel disease (7 with Crohn's disease, 13 with ulcerative colitis) who had failed to respond to various medications were treated with 200 mg/day of dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) for eight weeks. Six patients with Crohn's disease (83%) and six with ulcerative colitis (46%) went into remission (i.e., Crohn's disease activity index < 150; clinical activity index 4 or lower for ulcerative colitis). Two other patients (15%) with ulcerative colitis were considered treatment responders (i.e., a decrease in the clinical activity index of more than 4 points). No patient discontinued treatment because of side effects.

Comment: DHEA, a steroid hormone produced by the adrenal glands, testes and ovaries, has a wide range of effects on immune function. Blood levels of DHEA-sulfate, the predominant circulating form of DHEA, are low in patients with ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease. In previous studies, administration of DHEA reduced disease activity in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). As both SLE and inflammatory bowel disease are autoimmune diseases, DHEA has been used by some practitioners to treat inflammatory bowel disease, with apparently good results. The results of the present study suggest that DHEA is an effective treatment for both ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease.

The dose used in this study was considerably larger than the amount the human body normally secretes. Although no adverse effects were seen, it is possible that long-term administration of high doses of DHEA would cause problems, such as the development of hormone-dependent cancers. For that reason, the lowest effective dose of DHEA should be used. I have observed that when DHEA is used as part of a comprehensive treatment program that includes allergen avoidance and nutritional supplementation, doses of DHEA closer to the physiological range (such as 15-30 mg/day) are helpful for some patients with inflammatory bowel disease.

[harvest_table]

Tex,

This article cites the study you mentioned and further explains possible problems with long term/high dosing.

Comment: DHEA, a steroid hormone produced by the adrenal glands, testes and ovaries, has a wide range of effects on immune function. Blood levels of DHEA-sulfate, the predominant circulating form of DHEA, are low in patients with ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease. In previous studies, administration of DHEA reduced disease activity in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). As both SLE and inflammatory bowel disease are autoimmune diseases, DHEA has been used by some practitioners to treat inflammatory bowel disease, with apparently good results. The results of the present study suggest that DHEA is an effective treatment for both ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease.

The dose used in this study was considerably larger than the amount the human body normally secretes. Although no adverse effects were seen, it is possible that long-term administration of high doses of DHEA would cause problems, such as the development of hormone-dependent cancers. For that reason, the lowest effective dose of DHEA should be used. I have observed that when DHEA is used as part of a comprehensive treatment program that includes allergen avoidance and nutritional supplementation, doses of DHEA closer to the physiological range (such as 15-30 mg/day) are helpful for some patients with inflammatory bowel disease.

http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/ ... i_n7638029

I recall Cristi had exceptionally low levels of DHEA and began supplementing with it. I believe in her case it was linked it to adrenal fatigue but it's possible her chronic and long term inflamation contributed to these low levels.

There seems to be interest in it's benefits for a number of health issues and they appear to be making progress in some areas.

Love,
Joanna

[tex]

Hi Joanna,

Thanks for the link.

Love,
Tex