Pharmacokinetics and Bioconversion of Dehydroepiandrosterone After Dexamethasone Application in Women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

This study investigated the role of peripheral steroid biosynthesis in androgen production in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) by administering dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) and suppressing endogenous steroids. The study included 8 women with PCOS and 8 healthy women, matched by age and body mass index. Results showed that Dexamethasone significantly suppressed circulating steroids in both groups, while oral DHEA increased serum concentrations of DHEA, DHEAS, Androstendion, and Testosterone. Notably, women with PCOS exhibited significantly higher increases in 5alpha-Dihydrotestosterone (DHT) and its metabolites after DHEA intake, as well as elevated basal excretion of 5alpha-reduced glucocorticoid and mineralocorticoid metabolites. These findings suggested increased 5alpha-reductase activity in women with PCOS, indicating that not only the ovaries and adrenal glands but also the liver and peripheral target cells contribute to steroid alterations in PCOS.