Introduction: The aim of this study was to analyze the influence of DHEA therapy on fibrinogen, plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) and tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) plasma concentrations in men with decreased serum DHEA-S levels and angiographically verified coronary heart disease (CHD).
Material and methods: The study included thirty men aged 41-60 years (mean age 52 ± 0.90 yr) with serum DHEA-S concentration < 2000 mg/l, who were randomized into a double-blind, placebo-controlled, cross-over trial. Subjects completed the 80 days study of 40 days of 150 mg oral DHEA daily or placebo, and next groups were changed after 30 days of wash-out. Fasting early morning blood samples were obtained at baseline and after each treatment to determine serum hormones levels (testosterone, DHEA-S, LH, FSH and estradiol) and also fibrinogen, plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) and tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) plasma concentrations.
Results: Administration of DHEA was associated with 4.5-fold increase in DHEA-S levels. Estrogen levels significantly increased after DHEA from 22.1 ± 0.7 pg/ml to 26.4 ± 1.6 pg/l (mean ± SEM; p < 0.05), while testosterone levels did not changed. Fibrinogen concentrations significantly decreased in DHEA group from 4.5 ± 0.3 g/l to 3.83 ± 0.2 g/l (p < 0.05 vs. placebo). Changes of tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) and plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) were not statistical significant (respectively: 8.37 ± 0.4 ng/ml vs. 8.93 ± 0.5 ng/ml and 82.3 ± 6.3 ng/ml vs. 92.7 ± 9.1 ng/ml (mean ± SEM; NS vs. placebo). Tolerance of the treatment was good and no adverse effects were observed.
Conclusions: DHEA therapy in dose of 150 mg daily during 40 days in men with DHEAS levels < 2000 mg/l and angiographically verified coronary heart disease (CHD) was connected with significant decreasing of fibrinogen concentration and increasing of estradiol levels, and did not influence on plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) and tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) plasma concentrations. (Pol J Endocrinol 2007; 58 (3): 213-219)