Dehydroepiandrosterone protects against oxidative stress-induced endothelial dysfunction in ovariectomized rats.

It is well known that cardiovascular disease is more frequent in postmenopausal than in premenopausal women. Moreover, it has been shown that dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), a steroid hormone secreted by adrenal glands, reduces during ageing. Its reduced plasma level has been related to increased prevalence of obesity, insulin resistance and cardiovascular disease. We show that DHEA treatment in ovariectomized rats, an experimental model of menopause, reduces blood pressure and improves vascular function. Furthermore, DHEA reduced reactive oxygen species (ROS), correcting the reduced protein expression of Cu/Zn-SOD, an antioxidant protein, and increased protein expression of NADPH oxidase, a pro-oxidant protein. This work shows the potential effect of DHEA upon correction of endothelial dysfunction observed on oestrogen deprivation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]