Serum dehydroepiandrosterone and lipid peroxides in human volunteers of different age groups.

The objective of the present study was to evaluate the changes in serum dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) and lipid peroxide levels during ageing in human subjects. Random blood samples were collected from a total of 128 apparently normal human volunteers of both sexes, whose age ranged between 21-70 years. The subjects were divided into groups of a decade years of age difference. Serum levels of dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), lipid peroxides as malondialdehyde (MDA), and insulin were analysed in all the subjects recruited in the study. In the present study there was decrease in serum DHEA levels with age (11.30 to 7.99 ng/ml). However the differences were significant only after 50 years up to 70 years. Serum MDA levels of these subjects were higher (3.91 to 4.74 ng/ml) as compared to the values reported earlier (2.64 to 3.94 ng/ml). The serum MDA levels also showed an increasing trend with age but the increase was significant only in the 40-50 years age group and values plateaud off at later ages. The MDA and DHEA levels in women in general were lower than in men and this could be due to female hormones, which are known to protect lipid against peroxidation. There was a significant negative correlation between age and DHEA (r=-0.311 P<0.05) and positive correction between MDA and age (r=+0.405 P<0.01). No significant differences were seen in serum insulin, albumin and total protein levels. These preliminary findings support the possible utility of DHEA and MDA as markers for chronological ageing.