ea0009oc30 | Oral Communication 4: Steroids | BES2005
Arlt W
, Hammer F
, Sanning P
, Filko D
, Allolio B
, Stewart P
, Annane D
In severe sepsis circulating DHEA sulfate (DHEAS) has been shown to decrease whilst serum cortisol increases. This has led to the suggestion of an intraadrenal shift from adrenal androgen towards glucocorticoid synthesis in severe stress. Patients with sepsis are therefore assumed to be DHEA deficient and have been suggested to benefit from DHEA replacement. However, only desulfated DHEA is biologically active and DHEAS and DHEA may not freely interconvert as previously though...