Dehydroepiandrosterone, Over-studied but Under-used in the Treatment of Vascular Remodeling Diseases

Abstract

Vascular remodeling is characterized by a narrowing of the lumen of the vessels, resulting in decreased blood flow, increased pressure and heart failure. This process is found in diseases like atherosclerosis, restenosis after angioplasty, transplants coronary disease, systemic and pulmonary hypertensive vascular disease, and is stimulated by elevated levels of cholesterol, inflammation, oxidative stress, excess of vasodilating molecules and growth factors. Efficient treatments able to fix or prevent the progression of this process are still missing. The hormone dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), which levels decrease with aging while cardiovascular risks increase, was hypothesized to have a role in the pathophysiology of vascular diseases. Despite the fact that numerous properties such as fat-reducing, anti-oxidant, vasodilating, anti-inflammatory and anti-proliferative have emerged from two decade of studies, DHEA remain clinically underused in the treatment of vascular remodeling diseases. The lack of understanding of the exact mechanism of action and some controversial epidemiological studies are not foreign to the fact that DHEA is shunned. Nonetheless, we believe that DHEA cannot be ignored since promising results were obtained pre-clinically and clinically in the treatment of vascular remodeling diseases. We are probably close to understand the function of this molecule, especially by its action as a peroxisome proliferator, and it will be a shame to deprive patient of a way to improve their quality of life, or worst a way to extend their survival.