• Nutritional Sciences
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• v.3 no.1
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• pp.11-17
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• 2000

This study was intended to examine whether dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) and dietary fat level or source could modulate glutathione utilizing detoxifying system activity and the cytosolic NADPH generation in rat liver. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were fed semipurifed diet containing either 2%(w/w) corn oil (low level of corn oil diet: 5 ca% of fat) 15% corn oil (high level of corn oil diet: 31 cal% of fat) or 13% sardine oil plus 2% corn oil(high level of fish oil diet: 31 cal% of fat) for 9 weeks. Half of the rats in each diet group were fed a diet supplemented with 0.2% DHEA (w/w). DHEA administration increased plasma total cholesterol level in low corn oil diet-fed rats. The high fish oil diet significantly decreased plasma total cholesterol level compared to the high corn oil diet. Plasma triglyceride level was not significantly changed by DHEA administration and dietary fat level and source. Fasting plasma glucose level was increased by DHEA administration and fish oil diet. Glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase activity in liver tissue was significantly increased by DHEA administration and high fat diet, especially fish oil diet. Malic enzyme activity in liver tissue was significantly increased by DHEA administration and high fat diet, especially fish oil diet. Malic enzyme activity in liver tissue was significantly increased by DHEA administration. DHEA suppressed the glutathione peroxidase, glutathione-dependent enzymes compared to the low corn oil diet, while fish oil diet elevated the activity of glutathione peroxidase and glutathione reductase compared to corn oil diet. These results suggest that DHEA administration and high level of corn oil diet may suppress the cellular detoxifying system activity through reduction of glutathione utilization, while the fish oil diet did not show these effects.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.2 no.2
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• pp.80-84
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• 2008

Beneficial effects of dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) supplement on age-associated chronic diseases such as cancer, cardiovascular disease, insulin resistance and diabetes, have been reported. However, its mechanism of action in hepatocellular carcinoma in vivo has not been investigated in detail. We have previously shown that during hepatocellular carcinogenesis, DHEA treatment decreases formation of preneoplastic glutathione S-transferase placental form-positive foci in the liver and has antioxidant effects. Here we aimed to determine the mechanism of actions of DHEA, in comparison to vitamin E, in a chemically-induced hepatocellular carcinoma model in rats. Sprague-Dawley rats were administered with control diet without a carcinogen, diets with 1.5% vitamin E, 0.5% DHEA and both of the compounds with a carcinogen for 6 weeks. The doses were previously reported to have anti-cancer effects in animals without known toxicities. With DHEA treatment, cytosolic malate dehydrogenase activities were significantly increased by ${\sim}5$ fold and glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase activities were decreased by ${\sim}25%$ compared to carcinogen treated group. Activities of Se-glutathione peroxidase in the cytotol was decreased siguificantly with DHEA treatment, confirming its antioxidative effect. However, liver microsomal cytochrome P-450 content and NADPH-dependent cytochrome P-450 reductase activities were not altered with DHEA treatment. Vitamin E treatment decreased cytosolic Se-glutathione peroxidase activities in accordance with our previous reports. However, vitamin E did not alter glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase or malate dehydrogenase activities. Our results suggest that DHEA may have decreased tumor nodule formation and reduced lipid peroxidation as previously reported, possibly by increasing the production of NADPH, a reducing equivalent for NADPH-dependent antioxidant enzymes. DHEA treatment tended to reduce glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase activities, which may have resulted in limited supply for de novo synthesis of DNA via inhibiting the hexose monophophaste pathway. Although both DHEA and vitamin E effectively reduced preneoplastic foci in this model, they seemed to fimction in different mechanisms. In conclusion, DHEA may be used to reduce hepatocellular carcinoma growth by targeting NADPH synthesis, cell proliferation and anti-oxidant enzyme activities during tumor growth.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.37 no.6
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• pp.1059-1068
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• 2016

Objectives: This study reports on the efficacy of treating patients with general weakness symptoms with Korean medicine. Methods: Two patients with general weakness symptoms were treated with Korean medical treatment modalities, including acupuncture, moxibustion, and herbal medicines. Blood tests, the visual analogue scale (VAS), and patients' complaints were used to assess the treatment effects. Results and Conclusions: dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate (DHEAS), DHEAS/cortisol index, VAS, and the patients' complaints improved after treatment. Korean medical treatment is effective in improving DHEAS and the DHEAS/cortisol index according to the improvements in the patients' conditions. However, more studies are required to validate its use with other patients.

• KSBB Journal
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• v.5 no.3
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• pp.201-205
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• 1990

The characteristics of steroid acyl transferase were studied in the rat brain with (4-14C)-dehydroepiandrosterone(DHEA). The results could be summarized as followings: The enzyme system responsible for the biosynthesis was localized at the microsome fraction. The optimum pH of this enzyme was 4.6 When DHEA was utilized as substrate, $\Delta$5-pregnenolone was proved to be a competitive inhibitor. However testosterone was a noncompetitive inhibitor. The acylation at 3${\beta}$-hydroxyl group was favored when the hydrophilicity at Cl7 position increased. However, this acylation at C3 was very low when A ring was aromatic. The acylation at Cl7 hydroxyl group reguired an absolute 17${\beta}$-conformation.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Toxicology Conference
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• 2003.10b
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• pp.118-118
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• 2003

The influence of dietary supplementation with dehydroepiandrosterone-sulphate (DHEA-S) at 0.6% was investigated in male Syrian golden hamsters initiated by treatments with azoxymethane(AOM), and dihydroxy-di-n-propyl nitrosamine (DHPN), timed after transfer from a choline-deficient to a normal diet.(omitted)

• The Korean Journal of Pharmacology
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.67-76
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• 1990

Hydrocortisone 50 mg/kg (HC), dehydroepiandrosterone 250 mg/kg (DHEA), ${\beta}-estradiol$ 5 mg/kg (E2), and testosterone 20 mg/kg (TS) were subcutaneously injected into the castrated ICR mice at noon for four days, and the animals were sacrificed at 10-12 A.M. of the fifth day. The intestinal DAO activity was significantly decreased by HC, but it was rather increased by E2 and TS, respectively. And DHEA did not change the DAO activity. But the hepatic MAO activity was not affected by anyone of HC, DHEA, E2, and TS. Aminoguanidine 25 mg/kg produced the marked decrease of the intestinal DAO activity and the significant increases of the intestinal PT and SD contents, but it did not change the hepatic polyamine contents. HC and DHEA induced the significant increase of the intestinal PT content. E2 induced the marked increase of the hepatic PT content and the moderate increase of the intestinal PT content. TS little affected the polyamine contents of the liver and intestine. These results suggest that the E2-induced increase of the hepatic PT content is rather ascribed to the greater enhancement of PT synthesis than the inhibition of polyamine catabolism, and that the HC-induced increase of the intestinal PT content is due partly to the inhibition of polyamine catabolism via DAO.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.44 no.6
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• pp.790-798
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• 2020

Background: Beneficial effects of Korean Red Ginseng (KRG) on polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) remains unclear. Methods: We examined whether pretreatment (daily from 2 hours before PCOS induction) with KRG extract in water (KRGE; 75 and 150 mg/kg/day, p.o.) could exert a favorable effect in a dehydroepian-drosterone (DHEA)-induced PCOS rat model. Results: Pretreatment with KRGE significantly inhibited the elevation of body and ovary weights, the increase in number and size of ovarian cysts, and the elevation of serum testosterone and estradiol levels induced by DHEA. Pretreatment with KRGE also inhibited macrophage infiltration and enhanced mRNA expression levels of chemokines [interleukin (IL)-8, monocyte chemoattractant protein-1), proinflammatory cytokines (IL-1β, IL-6), and inducible nitric oxide synthase in ovaries induced by DHEA. It also prevented the reduction in mRNA expression of growth factors (epidermal growth factor, transforming growth factor-beta (EGF, TGF-β)) related to inhibition of the nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cell pathway and stimulation of the nuclear factor erythroid-derived 2-related factor 2 pathway. Interestingly, KRGE or representative ginsenosides (Rb1, Rg1, and Rg3(s)) inhibited the activity of inflammatory enzymes cyclooxygenase-2 and iNOS, cytosolic p-IκB, and nuclear p-nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B in lipopolysaccharide-induced RAW264.7 cells, whereas they increased nuclear factor erythroid-derived 2-related factor 2 nuclear translocation. Conclusion: These results provide that KRGE could prevent DHEA-induced PCOS via antiinflammatory and antioxidant activities. Thus, KRGE may be used in preventive and therapeutic strategies for PCOS-like symptoms.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.3 no.2
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• pp.127-135
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• 1999

As part of a study on the effects of dexamethasone and dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) on the biological roles of astrocytes in brain injury, this study evaluated the effects of dexamethasone and DHEA on the responses of primary cultured rat cortical astrocytes to lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and antimycin A. Dexamethasone decreased spontaneous release of LDH from astrocytes, and the dexamethasone effect was inhibited by DHEA. However, the inhibitory effect of DHEA on the dexamethasone-induced decrease of LDH release was not shown in astrocytes treated with LPS, and antimycin A-induced LDH release was not affected by dexamethasone or DHEA. Unlike dexamethasone, DHEA increased MTT value of astrocytes and also attenuated the antimycin A-induced decrease of MTT value. Glutamine synthetase activity of astrocytes was not affected by DHEA or LPS but increased by dexamethasone, and the dexamethasone- dependent increase was attenuated by DHEA. However, antimycin A markedly decreased glutamine synthetase activity, and the antimycin A effect was not affected by dexamethasone or DHEA. Basal release of $[^3H]arachidonic$ acid from astrocytes was moderately increased by LPS and markedly by antimycin A. Dexamethasone inhibited the basal and LPS-dependent releases of $[^3H]arachidonic$ acid, but neither dexamethasone nor DHEA affected antimycin A-induced $[^3H]arachidonic$ acid release. Basal IL-6 release from astrocytes was not affected by dexamethasone or DHEA but markedly increased by LPS and antimycin A. LPS-induced IL-6 release was attenuated by dexamethasone but was little affected by DHEA, and antimycin A-induced IL-6 release was attenuated by DHEA as well as dexamethasone. At the concentration of dexamethasone and DHEA which does not affect basal NO release from astrocytes, they moderately inhibited LPS-induced NO release but little affected antimycin A-induced decrease of NO release. Taken together, these results suggest that dexamethasone and DHEA, in somewhat different manners, modulate the astrocyte reactivity in brain injuries inhibitorily.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.3 no.2
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• pp.137-146
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• 1999

Interactions among dexamethasone, dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), lipopolysaccharide (LPS), and antimycin A on the glutamate uptake and the polyamine uptake were investigated in primary cultures of rat cerebral cortical astrocytes to examine the effects of dexamethasone and DHEA on the regulatory role of astrocytes in conditions of increased extracellular concentrations of glutamate or polyamines. 1. $[^3H]Glutamate$ uptake: LPS and antimycin A decreased $V_{max},$ but both drugs had little effect on $K_m.$ Dexamethasone also decreased basal $V_{max}$ without any significant effect on $K_m.$ And dexamethasone further decreased the antimycin A-induced decrease of $V_{max}.$ DHEA did not affect the kinetics of basal glutamate uptake and the change by LPS or antimycin A. 2. $[^{14}C]Putrescine$ uptake: LPS increased $V_{max},$ and antimycin A decreased $V_{max}.$ They showed little effect on $K_m.$ Dexamethasone decreased $V_{max}$ of basal uptake and further decreased the antimycin A-induced decrease of $V_{max},$ and also decreased $V_{max}$ to less than control in LPS-treated astrocytes. DHEA did not affect $K_m$ and the change of $V_{max}$ by LPS or antimycin A. 3. $[^{14}C]Spermine$ uptake: Antimycin A decreased $V_{max},$ and LPS might increase $V_{max}.\;K_m$ was little affected by the drugs. Dexamethasone decreased basal $V_{max}$ and might further decrease the antimycin A-induced decrease of $V_{max}.$ And dexamethasone also decreased $V_{max}$ to less than control in LPS-treated astrocytes. DHEA might increase basal $V_{max}$ and $V_{max}$ of LPS-treated astrocytes. 4. $V_{max}$ of glutamate uptake by astrocytes was increased by putrescine (1000 ${\mu}M$ & 2000 ${\mu}M$) and spermidine (200 ${\mu}M,$ 500 ${\mu}M$ & 2000 ${\mu}M$). Spermine, 200 ${\mu}M$ (and 100 ${\mu}M$), also increased $V_{max},$ but a higher dose of 2000 ${\mu}M$ decreased $V_{max}.\;K_m$ of glutamate uptake was not significantly changed by these polyamines, except that higher doses of spermine showed tendency to decrease $K_m$ of glutamate uptake. In astrocytes, dexamethasone inhibited the glutamate uptake and the polyamine uptake in normal or hypoxic conditions, and the polyamine uptake might be stimulated by LPS and DHEA. Polyamines could aid astrocytes to uptake glutamate.

• The Korean Journal of Pharmacology
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.81-88
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• 1991

The bilateral castration of male mice was operated under light ether anesthesia, and the sham operated mice were considered as the uncastrated. The treatments of mice with the following steroids were started one hour after operation. Hydrocortisone 50 mg/kg (HC), dehydroepiandrosterone 250 mg/kg (DHEA), ${\beta}-estradiol$ 5 mg/kg (E2), and testosterone 20mg/kg (TS) were subcutaneously injected into male ICR mice at noon for four days. Animals were sacrificed in the next-morning (at 10-12 A.M.) after the last injection. The intestinal putrescine(PT) content was lower and the liver and intestinal spermine(SM) contents were higher in castrated mice(CM), comparing with those of uncastrated mice (UCM). The intestinal PT content of UCM was markedly increased HC. But all brain polyamines of CM were significantly decreased by it. And HC also increased the spermidine(SD) content of kidney and liver and the intestinal PT content in CM. E2 induced the marked increase of liver PT content with the moderate increase of renal SD in UCM. And E2 significantly increased the brain and liver PT contents and the all renal polyamine contents in CM. Both of DHEA and TS induced the increase of renal PT content in UCM, and they also induced the marked increases of all renal polyamines of CM. In addition, TS increased the brain SM of CM. These results suggest that the steroidal regulation mechanism of brain, kidney, liver, and intestine seems to be different from one another, and the renal activity of polyamine synthesis can be markedly enhanced by sex steroids.