ABSTRACT
Dehydro Epi Androstrone [DHEA] is a steroid hormone produced by the adrenals that serves as a precursor for many steroids hormones. The aim of the work is to study the effects of DHEA on liver, ovary, breast and skin of senile female albino rats and the role of vitamin E, as a protective agent. In the present study, two hundred senile female albino rats were used. They were divided equally into 5 groups, 40 rats each. The first three groups were control group receiving distilled water, com oil and vitamin E, respectively. The last two groups were received maximum therapeutic dose of DHEA and combined DHEA and vitamin E. Twenty rats from each group were sacrificed after 4 months of daily administration of drugs and after 2 months follow up without any drugs [6 months]. Specimens, obtained from liver, ovary, breast and skin, were subjected to histopathological examination and AgNORs histochemical stain where the number of nuclear dots were estimated by computerized Analysis system 200 [CAS 200]. When DHEA was stopped for 2 months, a regression was defected in liver toxic capillaritis [congestion and inflammation], and in glandular hyperplasia of breast tissue, but no regression in hepatocelluar carcinoma and polycystic ovaries. Vitamin E protected the liver against DHEA induced liver toxic capillaritis, glandular hyperplasia of breast tissue but didn't protect against hepatocellular carcinoma or DHEA induced polycystic ovaries. DHEA had real benefit effects on the skin of senile rats which was augmented by co-administration of vitamin E. So the present study recommended the use of DHEA cautiously in people with existing liver disease or family history of breast carcinoma, and the use of vitamin E to women taken DHEA for protection from proliferative changes of breast tissue and for better improvement of senile skin. Also, the present study recommended the use of AGNORs stain as a sensitive indicator for early proliferative changes occur in liver and breast tissues