How is lupus associated with DHEA?

​What is LUPUS? Systemic lupus erythematosus is a chronic inflammatory disease that affects the joints, and other organs of the body such as the kidneys, liver, retina and central nervous system. It takes its name from a form of facial rash similar to cutaneous tuberculosis or lupus vulgaris. The term lupus expresses the degree of alteration and destruction of tissues comparable to the voracity of a hungry wolf. This disease mainly affects women, especially adolescents, and recognizes an immunological alteration. What is DHEA? Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) is a steroid hormone. DHEA and its sulfate, DHEAS, are the most abundant steroid hormones in the human body and can be found in blood, saliva, urine, and cerebrospinal fluid. Circulating levels of DHEA and DHEAS are 20 times higher than those of any other adrenal steroid. DHEA is secreted primarily by the adrenal glands, but the testes, ovaries, brain, and gastrointestinal tract also produce smaller amounts. DHEA is produced throughout life. It begins to increase from age between 8 to 10, and then peak in the late 20s. In the early 30s, the levels progressively decline as we age, reaching a plateau at age between 65 to 70. Ultimately, we end up with 80% loss of total DHEA production compared with that of a young adult. Other possible causes of decline in DHEA production include inflammation, chronic and sub-chronic stress, and many other diseases. Individuals with an abrupt decline and bigger irregularities of DHEAS over time have been shown to have a higher death rate.

A double-blind, placebo-controlled trial was conducted with a group of women with lupus. The results showed that the group receiving DHEA had a significant reduction of the symptoms due to a decreased production of proinflammatory cytokines IL-6, IL-10, and cytokine-mediated antibody. Epidemiological studies suggest that higher DHEA levels are associated with increased life expectancy and enhanced well-being.

​References Giordo, Paolo. Curare i Reumatismi Con Metodi Naturali. Macro Edizioni, 2015. Pizzorno, Joseph E., and Michael T. Murray. Textbook of Natural Medicine. Elsevier Health Sciences, 2020.