Accession Number:

ADA587313

Title:

Effects of Dehydroepiandrosterone Supplementation during Stressful Military Training: A Randomized, Controlled, Double-Blind Field Study

Descriptive Note:

Journal article

Corporate Author:

NAVAL AEROSPACE MEDICAL RESEARCH LAB PENSACOLA FL

Personal Author(s):

• Taylor, Marcus K.
• Padilla, Genieleah A.
• Stanfill, Katherine E.
• Markham, Amanda E.
• Khosravi, Jasmine Y.
• Ward, Michael D.
• Koehler, Matthew M.

Report Date:

2011-01-01

Pagination or Media Count:

13.0

Abstract:

Dehydroepiandrosterone DHEA and DHEA sulfate DHEAS are anabolic prehormones involved in the synthesis of testosterone. Both have been shown to exert neuroprotective effects during stress. In this randomized, controlled, doubleblind field study, we examined the effects of a 12-day DHEA regimen on stress indices in military men undergoing survival training. Forty-eight men were randomized to either a DHEA treatment group or placebo control group. The treatment group received 50mg of oral DHEA supplementation daily for 5 days during classroom training followed by 7 days of 75mg during stressful field operations. Control subjects received identical placebo pills. Salivary assays DHEAS, testosterone, and cortisol were conducted at four time points distal pre-stress T1, proximal pre-stress T2, mock-captivity stress T3, and 24 h recovery T4. Subjective distress was also assessed at T1, T3, and T4. As expected, DHEA treatment resulted in higher salivary concentrations of DHEA and DHEAS during daily living, mock-captivity stress, and recovery. Similar patterns were observed for salivary markers of anabolic balance DHEAcortisol, DHEAScortisol, and testosteronecortisol concentration ratios. Despite notable time effects, no group differences emerged for subjective distress. A brief, low dose DHEA regimen yielded large increases in salivary DHEAS concentrations and enhanced anabolic balance throughout sustained military stress. These physiological changes did not extrapolate to subjective distress.

Descriptors:

• *HORMONES
• *MILITARY TRAINING
• *STRESS(PHYSIOLOGY)
• CORTISOL
• DISSOCIATION
• PLACEBOS
• TESTOSTERONE

Subject Categories:

• Biochemistry
• Stress Physiology
• Military Forces and Organizations

Distribution Statement:

APPROVED FOR PUBLIC RELEASE