Re: molybdate/molybdenum ? and DHEA sulfation

[Guest guest]

Ellen,

DHEA converts to testesterone and estrogen so my naturopath advises usage of

7-keto DHEA.

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" DHEA SUPPLEMENTATION: POSSIBLE CONCERNS

The biggest concern over DHEA supplementation repeatedly raised in the DHEA

scientific literature is the issue of androgen/estrogen production from

DHEA. Various tissues can locally convert DHEA to either androgens

(testosterone, dihydrotestosterone, androstenedione) or estrogens (estrone,

estradiol). Many DHEA studies report significant androgen increases in

women, even at the relatively low dose of 50 mg. (1, 8, 18, 19, 21)

Increased androgen levels in women may relate not only to the mild effects

of excess facial hair and acne, but to the more serious issues of abdominal

obesity, hyper-glycemia and insulin resistance. (26) And one report found a

decreased testosterone level in men, combined with an increase in estradiol,

hardly ideal for a man's health. (21) Fortunately, a natural metabolite of

DHEA, normally found in the human body, and which cannot be bio-transformed

into androgens or estrogens, (28) is now available. And preliminary evidence

indicates this " new " DHEA metabolite may be even more potent than DHEA.

7-keto DHEA (also called " 7-oxo DHEA,) " is almost identical in structure to

DHEA. Human skin (and other tissues) contain enzymes that convert DHEA to

7-keto DHEA in a two-stage process. (27) (Interestingly, many animal

experiments with DHEA get best results if the DHEA is given subcutaneously,

hinting at skin DHEA bio-processing.) Research into 7-keto DHEA has been

conducted primarily by Dr. Henry Lardy and associates at the University of

Wisconsin. (28, 29, 30) Based on his research, Lardy has been granted

various patents on the use of 7- keto DHEA, including immune

enhancement/modulation, Alzheimer's treatment and weight loss.

" 7-keto DHEA has been evaluated in both preclinical studies and human

clinical trials for safety. These studies show no mutagenic activity and no

adverse effects for 7-keto DHEA up to doses of 2000 mg /kg in rats and 500

mg /kg in primates. It should be noted that 500 mg /kg is 3.5 grams in a

normal 70 kg human. " (30) Zenk notes that a clinical trial conducted to

measure the effects of 7- keto DHEA on several endocrine and safety

parameters in healthy adult men found 7- keto DHEA to be safe and

well-tolerated at doses up to 200 mg/day of a 28-day period. (30) Zenk also

reports that laboratory safety tests also showed 7- keto DHEA does not

affect haematology, serum chemistry, or urine chemistry differently than

healthy subjects taking placebo. (30)

Lardy has found that 7- keto DHEA (7-oxo-DHEA) is a potent increaser of

liver thermogenic enzymes. He reports that " The 7-oxo-derivatives of both

DHEA [i.e. 7- keto DHEA] and androstenediol are the most active compounds

tested. Over the range of 0.01 to 0.1% of the diet, 7-oxo-DHEA was 2.5 times

as active as DHEA. " (28) Research at the University of Wisconsin found 7-

keto DHEA helpful in treating primates infected with Simian Immunodeficiency

Virus (SIV). CD-4 (T helper) cell counts, CD-8 cell counts, and total white

blood cells increased. The SIV-infected primates also showed improvements in

their physical state, increased weight, and overall improvement in behavior

and clinical condition. (30)

7- keto DHEA was also shown to increase IL-2 production better than DHEA, in

human lymphocytes. IL-2 is the key cytokine regulator of T-helper cells,

along with interferon-gamma, which activates the immune system to " go into

battle " against invading pathogens. (30) Lardy and colleagues also found 7-

keto DHEA to enhance memory in 2-year old mice. " The mice were trained to

negotiate a water maze and then were given DHEA or 7-keto DHEA. They were

retested after two weeks. The control mice took 34 seconds [to negotiate the

maze]; those on DHEA took 22 seconds; and those on 7-keto DHEA took only 7.6

seconds.

Dr. Lardy found similar results in mice using scopolamine to abolish memory.

When protected with 7-keto DHEA [and given anti-memory scopolamine] the mice

were able to negotiate the water maze in 6.5 seconds, compared to 11.5 with

DHEA treatment and 22 seconds with scopolamine treatment only. " (30). "

http://www.smart-drugs.com/ias-DHEA.htm

Best wishes.

Nil

molybdate/molybdenum ? and DHEA sulfation

> Can any of the biochemist-types here please explain what this means in

> terms

> of molybdenum helping or hurting DHEA metabolism? Is molybdate chelated

> molybdenum? It says " molybdate decreases sulfation " ; isn't that the

> opposite

> of what many of us want to happen? I was hoping to find a way to improve

> the

> tolerability of DHEA.

>

>

[Guest guest]

Nil, Ellen, et.al., DHEA does convert, but 7-keto converts just as readily in

my personal experience. I have found that DHEA increases free testosterone and

gives a sense of well being that testosterone supplementation alone does not. I

belive the problem is in dosage. 50 mg is not a moderate dose, and 200 IMHO is

insane...unless you want to grow a lot of hair and big breasts. What I have

found useful is to use DHEA as an adjunct...10 mg a day. Mel