Effect of DHEA Administration on PUFA/SFA Ratio and Lipid Peroxide in Rat Liver Microsome

ABSTRACT

It is known that dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) shows a dual effect, prooxidant or antioxidant, depending on the dosage or physiological status of animals. The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of DHEA administration at low dose on lipid peroxidation, protein carbonylation and fatty acid composition in liver. Sprague Dawley male rats were fed either corn oil diet containing 15% corn oil or fish oil diet containing 2% corn oil + 13% sardine oil, with or without 0.2% DHEA for 9 weeks. Atherogenic index and hepatic triglyceride and cholesterol levels were significantly reduced by DHEA administration in rats fed with fish oil diet. Hepatic lipid peroxide product (TBARS) and protein carbonyl levels were significantly higher in rats fed with fish oil diet than in rats fed with corn oil diet. However, DHEA administration significantly reduced the hepatic thiobarbituric acid-reactive substance (TBARS) and conjugated diene levels in rats fed with fish oil diet. Contents of C16 0, C16 1, C20 5 and C22 6 in hepatic microsome were higher in rats fed with fish oil diet than in rats fed with corn oil diet, and contents of C18 2 and C20 4 were lower than in rats fed with corn oil diet. DHEA administration significantly increased C16 0 and C18 3 contents and reduced C18 2 content in rats fed with corn oil diet, while it increased C16 0 and C18 1 and reduced C20 5 and C22 6 in rats fed with fish oil diet. On overall, DHEA administration increased saturated fatty acid (SFA) and reduced polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) in hepatic microsome, thereby PUFA/SFA ratio was significantly (p < 0.0001) reduced without the change of n-3/n-6 ratio. Taken together, low dose of DHEA administration lowered PUFA/SFA ratio in hepatic microsomal membranes and also showed antioxidative effect especially in fish oil-induced highly oxidative stress condition through blocking increases of C20 5 and C22 6 contents.