Association Between Dehydroepiandrosterone Sulphate Levels at 7 Years Old And Bone Mineral Density At 10 Years Old – a Prospective Cohort Study

We aimed to explore the effect of dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate (DHEAS) at age 7 on areal bone mineral density (aBMD) at age 10, and to distinguish the direct and indirect effects (explained by sexual maturity and by aBMD at age 7), for each sex, after adjustment for body mass index z-score (BMI). In a subsample of 274 children (139 girls, 135 boys) from the Generation XXI cohort, aBMD was assessed with dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA) scan at age 7 and age 10. The increase in aBMD at age 10 for each 10 µg/dL increase in DHEAS levels at age 7 was estimated using path analysis. Both the direct and the indirect effects were calculated.In girls, higher DHEAS levels at age 7 were associated with higher aBMD at age 10. No direct effect was observed. The indirect effect via higher aBMD at age 7 explained 61% of the total effect, and the indirect effect via higher Tanner stage explained 21%. After adjustment for BMI, the total effect remained statistically significant, explained in 33% by the indirect effect of DHEAS on Tanner stage and Tanner stage on aBMD. In boys, no effect of DHEAS on aBMD was observed.Conclusion: An indirect effect of DHEAS at age 7 on aBMD at age 10 was found in girls, but not in boys, as higher DHEAS levels were associated with more advanced sexual maturity at age 10, and more advanced sexual maturity to higher aBMD. No direct effect of DHEAS on aBMD was observed.

SLC51 family of steroid-derived molecule transporters in GtoPdb v.2021.3

The SLC51 organic solute transporter family of transporters is a pair of heterodimeric proteins which regulate bile salt movements in the small intestine, bile duct, and liver, as part of the enterohepatic circulation [2, 5, 1]. OSTα/OSTβ is also expressed in steroidogenic cells of the brain and adrenal gland, where it may contribute to steroid movement [6]. Bile acid transport is suggested to be facilitative and independent of sodium, potassium, chloride ions or protons [5, 2]. OSTα/OSTβ heterodimers have been shown to transport [3H]taurocholic acid, [3H]dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate, [3H]estrone-3-sulphate, [3H]pregnenolone sulphate and [3H]dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate [2, 5, 6]. OSTα/OSTβ-mediated transport of bile salts is inhibited by clofazimine [10]. OSTα is suggested to be a seven TM protein, while OSTβ is a single TM 'ancillary' protein, both of which are thought to have intracellular C-termini [8]. Both proteins function in solute transport [8, 4]. Inherited mutations in OSTα and OSTβ are associated with liver disease and congenital diarrhea in children [9, 7].

Hair Cortisol, Testosterone, Dehydroepiandrosterone Sulfate and Their Ratios in Stallions as a Retrospective Measure of Hypothalamic–Pituitary–Adrenal and Hypothalamic–Pituitary–Gonadal Axes Activity: Exploring the Influence of Seasonality

The monitoring of stress physiology includes studying a wide range of endocrinological mechanisms, which can be assessed using multiple tissue samples. This study aimed to evaluate the seasonal variations of hair C, T and DHEA-S in horses for a whole year, as well as to assess the variations between seasons of C/DHEA-S and T/C ratios as a retrospective measure of the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal and hypothalamic–pituitary–gonadal axis activity. Ten pure-breed Menorca stallions were included in the study. The hair samples were collected approximately every two months following the shave-reshave method caudally to the sternum. After a methanol-based extraction, samples were analyzed by enzyme immunoassay for cortisol, testosterone, and dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate. Following our findings, we detected that cortisol, testosterone and dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate were significantly affected by seasonality, with the highest values of cortisol during summer and the lowest values of testosterone during spring. Dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate concentrations were increased in autumn compared to the other studied periods. Additionally, the studied hormone ratios showed variations between seasons. To conclude, season should, therefore, be considered when assessing sexual and stress hormones in stallion hair, since this variable can be a potential influencing factor and led to misinterpretations.

The Relationships Between Serum DHEA-S and AMH Levels in Infertile Women: A Retrospective Cross-Sectional Study

The relationship between serum dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate (DHEA-S) and anti-Mullerian hormone (AMH) levels has not been fully established. Therefore, we performed a large-scale cross-sectional study to investigate the association between serum DHEA-S and AMH levels. The study included a total of 2155 infertile women aged 20 to 46 years who were divided into four quartile groups (Q1 to Q4) based on serum DHEA-S levels. We found that there was a weak positive association between serum DHEA-S and AMH levels in infertile women (r = 0.190, p < 0.001). After adjusting for potential confounders, serum DHEA-S levels positively correlated with serum AMH levels in infertile women (β = 0.103, p < 0.001). Infertile women in the highest DHEA-S quartile category (Q4) showed significantly higher serum AMH levels (p < 0.001) compared with women in the lowest DHEA-S quartile category (Q1). The serum AMH levels significantly increased across increasing DHEA-S quartile categories in infertile women (p = 0.014) using generalized linear models after adjustment for potential confounders. Our data show that serum DHEA-S levels are positively associated with serum AMH levels.

Cortisol to Dehydroepiandrosterone Sulphate Ratio and Executive Function in Bipolar Disorder

<b><i>Introduction:</i></b> Bipolar disorder (BD) is associated with impairment in cognitive domains such as verbal memory and executive functions. Very few studies have assessed dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate (DHEA-S) in BD and its relation to cognitive functioning despite evidence showing its regulatory effects on glucocorticoid action. The aim of our study was to explore the association of cortisol, DHEA-S, and cortisol to DHEA-S ratio with visuospatial memory and executive functioning in BD. <b><i>Methods:</i></b> Cognitive performance of 60 bipolar I patients and 30 healthy subjects was evaluated by using Cambridge Neuropsychological Test Automated Battery tasks targeting visuospatial memory (spatial recognition memory) and executive functions (planning [Stockings of Cambridge; SOC] and attentional set shifting [ID/ED]). Morning serum cortisol and DHEA-S levels were measured in patients. Main effects of cortisol, DHEA-S, and cortisol/DHEA-S ratio for each neurocognitive task were explored in multiple regression analyses correcting for demographic and clinical parameters as well as treatment-related factors (current use of antipsychotic and mood stabilizer medication). <b><i>Results:</i></b> Bipolar patients showed poorer performance than healthy subjects in planning and attentional set shifting but not in visuospatial memory. Cortisol to DHEA-S ratio predicted worse performance in planning (SOC). <b><i>Conclusions:</i></b> This is the first study to assess memory and executive function in BD in relation to DHEA-S and cortisol to DHEA-S ratio. We report an association of cortisol to DHEA-S ratio with worse performance in planning in bipolar I patients, which warrants further investigation.

SLC51 family of steroid-derived molecule transporters (version 2020.4) in the IUPHAR/BPS Guide to Pharmacology Database

The SLC51 organic solute transporter family of transporters is a pair of heterodimeric proteins which regulate bile salt movements in the small intestine, bile duct, and liver, as part of the enterohepatic circulation [2, 4, 1]. OSTα/OSTβ is also expressed in steroidogenic cells of the brain and adrenal gland, where it may contribute to steroid movement [5]. Bile acid transport is suggested to be facilitative and independent of sodium, potassium, chloride ions or protons [4, 2]. OSTα/OSTβ heterodimers have been shown to transport [3H]taurocholic acid, [3H]dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate, [3H]estrone-3-sulphate, [3H]pregnenolone sulphate and [3H]dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate [2, 4, 5]. OSTα/OSTβ-mediated transport of bile salts is inhibited by clofazimine [9]. OSTα is suggested to be a seven TM protein, while OSTβ is a single TM 'ancillary' protein, both of which are thought to have intracellular C-termini [7]. Both proteins function in solute transport [7, 3]. Inherited mutations in OSTα and OSTβ are associated liver disease and congenital diarrhea in children [8, 6].

SLC51 family of steroid-derived molecule transporters (version 2019.4) in the IUPHAR/BPS Guide to Pharmacology Database

The SLC51 organic solute transporter family of transporters is a pair of heterodimeric proteins which regulate bile salt movements in the small intestine, bile duct, and liver, as part of the enterohepatic circulation [1, 3]. OSTα/OSTβ is also expressed in steroidogenic cells of the brain and adrenal gland, where it may contribute to steroid movement [4]. Bile acid transport is suggested to be facilitative and independent of sodium, potassium, chloride ions or protons [3, 1]. OSTα/OSTβ heterodimers have been shown to transport [3H]taurocholic acid, [3H]dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate, [3H]estrone-3-sulphate, [3H]pregnenolone sulphate and [3H]dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate [1, 3, 4]. OSTα/OSTβ-mediated transport of bile salts is inhibited by clofazimine [7]. OSTα is suggested to be a seven TM protein, while OSTβ is a single TM 'ancillary' protein, both of which are thought to have intracellular C-termini [5]. Both proteins function in solute transport and bimolecular fluorescence complementation studies suggest the possibility of OSTα homo-oligomers, as well as OSTα/OSTβ hetero-oligomers [5, 2]. An inherited mutation in OSTβ is associated with congenital diarrhea in children [6].