Effects of dehydroepiandrosterone supplementation during stressful military training: A randomized, controlled, double-blind field study

Abstract

Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) and DHEA sulfate (DHEAS) are anabolic prehormones involved in the synthesis of testosterone. Both have been shown to exert neuroprotective effects during stress. In this randomized, controlled, double-blind field study, we examined the effects of a 12-day DHEA regimen on stress indices in military men undergoing survival training. Forty-eight men were randomized to either a DHEA treatment group or placebo control group. The treatment group received 50 mg of oral DHEA supplementation daily for 5 days during classroom training followed by 7 days of 75 mg during stressful field operations. Control subjects received identical placebo pills. Salivary assays (DHEA[S], testosterone, and cortisol) were conducted at four time points: distal pre-stress (T1), proximal pre-stress (T2), mock-captivity stress (T3), and 24 h recovery (T4). Subjective distress was also assessed at T1, T3, and T4. As expected, DHEA treatment resulted in higher salivary concentrations of DHEA and DHEAS during daily living, mock-captivity stress, and recovery. Similar patterns were observed for salivary markers of anabolic balance: DHEA/cortisol, DHEAS/cortisol, and testosterone/cortisol concentration ratios. Despite notable time effects, no group differences emerged for subjective distress. A brief, low dose DHEA regimen yielded large increases in salivary DHEA(S) concentrations and enhanced anabolic balance throughout sustained military stress. These physiological changes did not extrapolate to subjective distress.

Keywords::

• Cortisol
• dehydroepiandrosterone
• dissociation
• impact of event
• survival
• testosterone

Acknowledgements

This study was supported by a grant from the Office of Naval Research Force Health Protection Program. Appreciation is extended to students and staff at Center for Security Forces—Detachment North Island for “training the best for the worst”. We appreciate Mrs. Renee Kotch for editorial assistance, as well as Drs. Nicole Maninger and Owen Wolkowitz for so graciously sharing their subject matter expertise. Finally, we wish to thank Dr. Charles “Andy” Morgan III for his pioneering military stress research and his expert guidance.

Declaration of interest: The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of the paper.

Sources of support: This study was supported by a grant from the Office of Naval Research Force Health Protection Program. This work was performed under work unit number PB401.

Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the Department of the Navy, Department of Defense, nor the US Government.

Human Research Protections/IRB statement: The study protocol was approved by the Naval Aerospace Medical Research Laboratory Institutional Review Board in compliance with all applicable Federal regulations governing the protection of human subjects.

Copyright statement: I am a military service member. This work was prepared as part of my official duties. Title 17 U.S.C. §105 provides that ‘Copyright protection under this title is not available for any work of the United States Government.’ Title 17 U.S.C. §101 defines a US Government work as a work prepared by a military service member or employee of the US Government as part of that person's official duties.

Distribution statement: Approved for public release; distribution is unlimited.