Plasma 16 β-Hydroxydehydroepiandrosterone in Normal and Pathological Conditions in Man1

Abstract

Plasma 16β-hydroxydehydroepiandrosterone (16 β-OH-DHEA) levels in normal subjects and patients with certain pathological conditionshave been evaluated using radioimmunoassay of the steroid. Plasma 16 β-OH-DHEA levels in normal subjects rose sharply during adolescence and then declined slowly throughout adult life: 192 ± 54 (se) pg/ml between 7 and 11 yrs., 395 ± 22 pg/ml between 15 and 19 yrs., 330 ± 29 pg/ml between 20 and 39 yrs., 261 ± 35 pg/ml between 40 and 59 yrs., and 124 ± 20 over 60 yrs. No significant difference was found between male and female subjects. Plasma 16 β-OH-DHEA rose significantly (P < 0.001) during ACTH stimulation, declined significantly (P < 0.005) during dexamethasone suppression, declined significantly (P < 0.05) during gonadal suppression, rose significantly (PP < 0.005) after the administration of WIN 24, 540, an inhibitor of 3 β-ol-dehydrogenase. The concentration of 16 β-OH-DHEA in adrenal venous blood was higher than in inferior vena cava blood, but 16β-OHDHEA in hepatic venous blood was not higher than 16 β-OH-DHEA in arterial blood. It is inferred that 16 β-OH-DHEA is secreted directly by the adrenal cortex and probably the gonads. Plasma 16 β-OHDHEA -was elevated in normal pregnant women, pregnant women with toxemia, and in patients with Cushing's disease, ectopic ACTH-producing tumor, and congenital adrenal hyperplasia, but it was not elevated in patients with low-renin essential hypertension.