Formula C19H26O3 | Molar mass 302.41 g/mol | |
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IUPAC ID (3β)-3-Hydroxyandrost-5-ene-7,17-dione | ||
7-Ketodehydroepiandrosterone (7-keto-DHEA), also known as 7-oxoprasterone, is a steroid produced by metabolism of the prohormone dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA). 7-Keto-DHEA is not directly converted to testosterone or estrogen, and has thus been investigated as a potentially more useful relative of DHEA. It is often used as the acetate ester prodrug 7-keto-DHEA acetate.
Contents
- Effects and uses
- Increased metabolismweight loss
- Age related immune enhancement
- Safety
- Pharmacokinetics
- Chemistry
- History
- Society and culture
- References
While in vitro and animal studies have suggested potential uses for 7-keto-DHEA in humans, there is currently limited scientific evidence to support its use as a weight-loss aid, muscle-builder, immune stimulant, or for any other clinical use. One randomized, placebo-controlled research study on dieting and exercising healthy overweight individuals found 7-keto-DHEA significantly increased body-weight loss and fat-loss. 7-Keto-DHEA is marketed as a dietary supplement with the implication that it may accelerate weight loss, increase metabolism, enhance memory, or prevent age-related changes. When used in a topical (skin lotion) product 7-keto-DHEA caused long-lasting changes in the body's levels of testosterone, epitestosterone, estradiol, and other steroid hormones. Researchers have raised concern that supplements may trigger positive tests for performance-enhancing drugs.
The World Anti-Doping Agency lists 7-keto-DHEA as a prohibited anabolic agent.
Effects and uses
7-Keto-DHEA is unique among other derivatives of DHEA because of its oxygenated 7-position. This molecular configuration imparts different characteristics to the molecule, and research reveals that 7-keto-DHEA has multiple distinct effects in the body.
Increased metabolism/weight loss
7-Keto-DHEA demonstrates documented thermogenic activity in rats. This is accomplished through the activation of three thermogenic enzymes: Glycerol-3-Phosphate Dehydrogenase, Malic Enzyme and Fatty Acyl CoA Oxidase. In keeping with the biological definition of thermogenesis, all three of these enzyme activations drive energy-producing substrates in a direction of less efficient ATP production relative to heat production. The enzymes also promote the utilization of fat stores for energy and heat production. This is the basis for the ability of 7-keto-DHEA to enhance thermogenesis and, through that mechanism, accelerate the utilization of fat stores for energy.
A 2007 study demonstrated that administration of 7-keto-DHEA to overweight adults in conjunction with a calorie-restricted diet effectively reverses the decline in resting metabolic rate (RMR) normally associated with dieting. 7-Keto-DHEA demonstrated an ability to increase RMR by 1.4% above baseline levels and demonstrated a 5.4% increase in daily RMR when administered with a calorie-restricted diet.
7-Keto-DHEA achieves this thermogenic effect without cardiovascular or central nervous system side effects, which are commonly seen with stimulant-associated thermogenic agents.
Age-related immune enhancement
Although the aging process affects all of the segments of the immune system, investigators have identified abnormalities in the cellular or T-cell mediated immune function in the elderly. The decline in T-cell immune function is associated with an increased susceptibility to infections. For example, individuals with age-related declines in cellular immunity have an impaired response to influenza vaccine, making them more susceptible to getting the “flu” even though they have had their flu shot.
In a clinical study presented at the Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology meeting in April 2004, the effect of 7-keto-DHEA was evaluated in regard to its effect on elderly immune function.
Safety
7-Keto-DHEA has been the subject of a series of toxicological evaluations. These studies include: AMES Mutagenicity Test, Acute Oral Dose LD50 in Rats, Escalating Dose Oral Gavage in Rhesus Monkeys and 28 Day Oral Gavage in Rhesus Monkeys.
There were no adverse effects in any of these studies. This pre-clinical work was followed by a Phase I safety study in humans performed by Davidson and colleagues at the Chicago Center for Clinical Research. This study was published in Clinical Investigative Medicine and indicated that 7-keto-DHEA was safe for human consumption at doses up to 200 mg per day for 4 weeks. As in the toxicological studies, there were no serious adverse reactions or hormone related side effects reported. Data on the safety of long-term use (beyond 4 weeks) are lacking.
In addition, a complete pharmacokinetic analysis was completed as part of this study. This pharmacokinetic analysis describes exactly how the body absorbs, metabolizes, distributes and excretes 7-keto-DHEA. It reveals that 7-keto-DHEA is rapidly absorbed and converted to its sulfate derivative, it reaches peak plasma concentrations in 2.2 hours and has a half-life of 2.17 hours and there is no accumulation with repeated dosing.
To date, there have been two pre-market notifications filed with the FDA announcing intent to market 7-keto-DHEA as a dietary ingredient. These notifications had to demonstrate to FDA’s satisfaction that there is no issue with the safety of the subject ingredient. The FDA had no objection, in each of these notifications, to the marketing and sale of 7-keto-DHEA.
Pharmacokinetics
Similar to DHEA, 7-keto-DHEA is rapidly sulfated to 7-keto-DHEA sulfate in the body. An analytical method was developed for quantification of 7-keto-DHEA sulfate in human plasma. This was an HPLC method, which utilized calibration curves for 7-keto-DHEA sulfate in the range of 10 to 500 ng/ml.
Trough levels were measured after each escalating dose sequence; 0, 50, 100 and 200 mg per day. Trough plasma concentrations increased proportionally to the daily dose. Mean trough levels (15.8 ng/ml) after 1 week of dosing at 200 mg/day were similar to those determined after 4 weeks of dosing (16.3 ng/ml). This indicated that the ratio of the formation rate of this metabolite to its elimination clearance is constant during multiple dosing and does not accumulate.
After a twelve-hour washout period, all 22 subjects were given a single dose of 7-keto-DHEA at 100 mg and plasma levels were obtained at 0.25, 0.50, 1.0, 2.0, 4.0, 6.0 and 12.0 hrs after the dose. The mean plasma concentrations as measured in the study demonstrated a peak plasma level of 158 ng/ml, which occurred at 2.2 hours after the dose. The average elimination half-life was determined to be 2.17 hours. Based on the data, the dosing regime of twice per day was recommended as the ideal dosing schedule with steady state blood levels being the goal.
A one-compartment model was assumed with first order absorption and no lag phase. The results of these simulations using this pharmacokinetic model showed that there was good agreement between: a) the simulated and measured means of the trough plasma levels, and b) the plasma concentrations of a single 100 mg oral dose.
The pharmacokinetic analysis revealed that 7-keto-DHEA is rapidly absorbed and converted to its sulfate derivative, it reaches peak plasma concentrations in 2.2 hours, and it has a half-life of 2.17 hours. There is no accumulation with repeated dosing and, with twice daily dosing, should reach a steady state plasma level in 11 hours.
Chemistry
7-Keto-DHEA has a number of chemical names, including:
For the acetate ester:
Note: "Keto" can be substituted for "oxo" in the above names.
History
To search for possible metabolites of DHEA that might have greater biological activity, greater specificity, and fewer propensities to form sex hormones, Dr. Lardy initiated a program assaying the derivatives of DHEA. The activity of 150 of these metabolites was monitored by measuring the induction of two thermogenic enzymes, mitochondrial glycerol-3-phosphate dehydrogenase and cytosolic malic enzyme. The results of this landmark study were published in the journal Steroids in 1998 and revealed that many of these steroids did not induce the activity of these thermogenic enzymes, whereas the 7-keto-DHEA metabolite did. In fact, 7-keto-DHEA was 2.5 times more active than DHEA at inducing the activity of these thermogenic enzymes. In later work by Marenich, it was discovered that the urinary excretion of 7-keto-DHEA declines with age in a similar manner to its parent compound, DHEA. Based on these discovered advantages, the 7-keto-DHEA metabolite was chosen for further study as a weight loss ingredient.
Society and culture
7-Keto-DHEA is legal to sell in the United States as a dietary supplement. It currently has two premarket notifications with the FDA. Commercial sales of 7-keto-DHEA as a dietary ingredient began in June 1998.