Several studies have investigated the beneficial effects of
dehydroepiandrosterone (
DHEA) on
lipid and
glucose metabolism. However, many of these studies are inconclusive about the effects of
DHEA administration on metabolic disorders, and there appear to be sex-related differences in the effects of
DHEA treatment. Few animal studies have addressed the effects of
DHEA on diet-induced metabolic disorders. The present study sought to ascertain whether sex differences exist in the effects of a high-fat diet (HFD) on
weight gain, adiposity, and biochemical and hormonal parameters in
DHEA-treated rats. Rats were fed a HFD for 4 weeks and simultaneously received treatment with
DHEA (10 mg/kg by
subcutaneous injection) once weekly.
Body weight, retroperitoneal fat depot weight, serum
glucose,
insulin, and
leptin levels, and hepatic
lipids were measured. HFD exposure increased the adiposity index in both sexes, the hepatic
triglyceride content in both sexes, and the hepatic total
cholesterol level in males. Moreover, the HFD induced an increase in
blood glucose levels in both sexes, and
hyperinsulinemia in males. In this experimental model,
DHEA treatment reduced hepatic
triglyceride levels only in females, regardless of HFD exposure. Exposure to a HFD, even if it does not cause
obesity, may enhance risk factors for metabolic disorders, and males are more sensitive to this effect.
DHEA treatment can help prevent metabolic derangements, but its effect varies with sex.