Comparison of the effects of DHEA and food restriction on serum calcitonin

Abstract

In the first of two studies, female Wistar rats were fed ad libitum or 60% of the ad libitum intake. In the second study, female Sprague Dawley rats were given subcutaneous injections of DHEA (2-4 mg/day) five times per week or received similar volumes of the solvent vehicle. Animals in both studies were maintained on their respective regimens for six months. At the termination of the study, the food restricted animals weighed significantly less than the animals fed ad libitum; in addition, their serum calcitonin concentration was markedly lower and was over 60% less than that of the ad libitum fed animals. In contrast, DHEA treatment had no significant effect on the body weight or on the plasma calcitonin of the Sprague Dawley rats. Since food restriction maintains calcitonin concentrations toward youthful levels, it is clear that at least one of the anti-aging effects of food restriction is not mediated by DHEA.