DHEA Study Results
Many of you have asked about the outcome of the DHEA (dehydroepiandrosterone) study. We’re proud to report that the primary results will be published in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism in August 2006. The primary purpose of the study was to determine if DHEA replacement therapy (50 mg/day) for 1 year had beneficial effects on bone mineral density, muscle mass, and fat mass in women and men aged 60 years or older. DHEA is a very abundant hormone in young people that declines steadily with aging. It is possible that the declines in DHEA with aging contribute to other changes that occur as people age, such as the loss of bone and muscle and the gain in fat.

On average, the DHEA level of the participants at the start of the study was reduced by about 85% when compared with young women and men. Participants were randomly assigned to take DHEA or a placebo pill (no hormone). For those participants who were on DHEA for 1 year, the 50-mg dose brought their DHEA levels up into the normal range. Neither the investigators nor the participants knew what pill they were taking (i.e., a double-blinded study). We compared the changes in bone mineral density, muscle mass, and fat mass in the DHEA and placebo groups. Of the 140 women and men who started the study, 130 finished. The average age of the participants was 70 years.

The main findings of this first paper were that a) DHEA replacement therapy for 1 year improved hip bone mineral density in women and men, and spine bone mineral density in women only; and b) DHEA therapy did not result in an increase in muscle mass or a decrease in fat mass. Although our study of DHEA replacement was one of the largest to date, there are more questions about how DHEA may benefit bone health that will need to be addressed in future studies.

Michael(left) and Dan

After more than 5 years of working with the IMAGE group, assisting with several studies, testing hundreds of participants, and managing our database, Dan Dahl has decided to retire his research career and try on a new hat. In August, Dan will begin the Physician Assistant program at Red Rocks Community College where he will attend classes for one year followed by a year of clinical rotations. Good luck Dan! You will be missed.

Michael Witten, a research assistant who has been working with the IMAGE group for several years, will be taking over Dan’s study responsibilities. Michael can be contacted at 303.372.2910 or .

Tips for staying healthy in the heat:


• Drink hydrating fluids (water, diluted sports drinks, and/or decaffeinated beverages) throughout the day.
• Avoid direct sun exposure or take periodic breaks in the shade or indoors to cool yourself off.
• Wear light-colored and loose-fitting clothes.
• Bring a water bottle with you on errands and activities because water may not be readily available when you need it.
• Don’t rely on your thirst sensation to remind you to drink fluids; the thirst mechanism doesn’t tell you that you need fluids until you are already dehydrated.

Warning signs of severe dehydration:


• Dry, burning lips and tongue
• Dizziness, fatigue, headache
• Confusion, poor concentration
• Dark-colored urine
• Nausea
• Muscle cramps

• The TEAM study is examining the effects of testosterone supplementation and exercise in men who have low-normal testosterone levels. Eligible participants are men, 60 years and older, non-smokers, in good general health, and not currently doing high-intensity weight lifting exercise. (COMIRB # 02-1056)
• The PROXI study is determining if weight lifting helps to prevent the loss of muscle and bone mass that occurs in men with prostate cancer on androgen deprivation therapy (ADT). Eligible participants are men, 45-85 years, with prostate cancer, who are taking ADT or plan to start ADT. (COMIRB #02-0958)
• The New-to-ADT study is examining changes in muscle that occur in men on androgen deprivation therapy (ADT). Eligible participants are men, 45-85 years who have prostate cancer that has not spread to other organs, who plan to begin ADT. (COMIRB #05-0196)
• The TANDEM study is investigating how the reproductive hormones, testosterone and estrogen, relate to the health and function of the cardiovascular system. Eligible participants are healthy men, non-smokers, 21-35 years. (COMIRB # 05-0183)

• The START study is determining how short-term exercise and diet affects stress hormones. Eligible participants are postmenopausal women, 45-70 years, who are currently on hormone therapy. (COMIRB # 01-0634)
• The Cortisol Metabolism study is looking at stress hormones and body weight. Eligible participants are postmenopausal women, 45-70 years, who are not on hormone therapy. (COMIRB #03-1180)

• The EASCI study is examining how estrogen affects the use of insulin in the body. Eligible participants are postmenopausal women, 50-65 years, who are not on hormone therapy. (COMIRB #04-0106)
• The GnRH study is investigating the effects of reproductive hormones (estrogen and progesterone) on metabolism and blood vessel function. Eligible participants are healthy women , 21-40 years, who have regular menstrual cycles and do not use oral contraceptives. (COMIRB #02-0110)

• The Parkinson’s Disease study is examining how different forms of exercise help improve daily function and the ability to “stay active” in people with Parkinson’s disease. Eligible participants are people with Parkinson's who are able to function independently. (COMIRB #02-0750)
• The CAFFEE study is investigating whether weight lifting can reduce fatigue and preserve physical function in older persons who have a history of cancer. Eligible participants are 65 years or older and have a history of prostate, breast, colorectal, or ovarian cancer. (COMIRB #03-0914)