Abstract | BACKGROUND:
Dehydroepiandrosterone ( DHEA) and DHEA-sulfate (DHEAS) are the major steroid hormones secreted by the adrenal gland. Administration of DHEA has been reported to have beneficial effects on aging, diabetes, and atherosclerosis. Apoptosis is a normal physiologic process that occurs during embryonic development as well as in the maintenance of tissue homeostasis. In this study, we examined the suppressive effect of DHEA(S) on staurosporine-induced apoptosis in human peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL). METHODS: Apoptosis was induced in human PBL with staurosporine and measured by flow cytometry utilizing Annexin V and propidium iodide (PI) staining. The quantity of FITC+/PI- cells corresponded to early apoptosis, while that of FITC+/PI+ cells corresponded to late apoptosis or secondary necrosis. RESULTS: CONCLUSIONS: This is the first study showing that DHEA(S) inhibits apoptosis in human PBL through a mechanism independent of either ARs or ERs. DHEA(S) may be a promising chemopreventive drug for aging, diabetes, and atherosclerosis.
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Authors | Hirokazu Takahashi, Atsushi Nakajima, Hisahiko Sekihara |
Journal | The Journal of steroid biochemistry and molecular biology
(J Steroid Biochem Mol Biol)
Vol. 88
Issue 3
Pg. 261-4
(Mar 2004)
ISSN: 0960-0760 [Print] England |
PMID | 15120419
(Publication Type: Journal Article)
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Chemical References |
- Tamoxifen
- Dehydroepiandrosterone
- Dehydroepiandrosterone Sulfate
- Flutamide
- Staurosporine
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Topics |
- Adult
- Apoptosis
(drug effects)
- Dehydroepiandrosterone
(pharmacology)
- Dehydroepiandrosterone Sulfate
(pharmacology)
- Flow Cytometry
- Flutamide
(pharmacology)
- Humans
- Lymphocytes
(cytology)
- Male
- Middle Aged
- Staurosporine
(pharmacology)
- Tamoxifen
(pharmacology)
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