Cortisol and DHEA are steroid hormones produced in the adrenal glands.
They help regulate the body's stress response, thyroid function,
metabolism, and immune function.
The progression
of HIV infection is marked by important changes in adrenal hormone
production. Cortisol levels increase, while DHEA, an androgen linked
to improved mood, energy, and anti-cancer effects, decreases.1 This
has led researchers to surmise that cortisol excess and/or DHEA
deficiency may be the primary basis for the suppressed immune response
occurring in AIDS.2,3
One leading
research expert notes that high cortisol levels eventually wear
down the resistance of the immune system and are actually capable
of triggering the infections and symptoms characteristic of AIDS.4
What's more, protease-inhibitors used to treat AIDS patients can
further increase the secretion of cortisol, causing disfiguring
fat deposits in the back ("buffalo hump") and stomach
as well as diabetes.5 A complete circadian analysis of cortisol
over a 24-hour period can reveal important "peaks" in
cortisol activity, when the immune system is vulnerable to dangerous
infections and treatment side effects.
Experimental
evidence shows that DHEA not only protects against certain viral
infections, it serves as an independent predictor of AIDS progression
in HIV infected men.6,7 Moreover, it appears that DHEA levels may
affect the development and remission of Kaposi's sarcoma--which
is often symptomatic of advanced AIDS.8
The
Adrenocortex Stress Profile is a timed, noninvasive saliva
test that measures the circadian secretion pattern of cortisol along
with circulating level of DHEA. Results provide a strong foundation
for addressing adrenal imbalances that may be influencing the progression
of AIDS.
References:
1 Clerici M, Trabattoni D, Piconi S, Fusi ML, Ruzzante S, Clerici
C, Villa M. A possible role for the cortisol/Anticortisols imbalance
in the progression of human immunodeficiency virus. Psychoneuroendocrinology
1997;22 Suppl 1:S27-S31.
2 Christeff N, Gherbi N, Mammes O, Dalle MT, Gharakhanian S, Lortholoary
O, Melchior JC, Nunez EA. Serum cortisol and DHEA concentrations
during HIV infection. Psychoneuroendocrinology 1997;22 Suppl 1:S11-S18.
3 Corley PA. HIV and the cortisol connection: a feasible concept
of the process of AIDS. Med Hypotheses 1995;44(6):483-9.
4 Sapse AT. Cortisol, high cortisol diseases and anti-cortisol therapy.
Psychoneuroendocrinology 1997;22 Suppl 1:S3-10.
5 Sapse AT. Fifth Conference on Retroviruses and Opportunistic Infections.
Las Vegas, February 2-5 1998.
6 Jacobson MA, Fusaro RE, Galmarini M, Lang W. Decreased serum dehydroepiandrosterone
is associated with an increased progression of human immunodeficiency
virus infection in men with CD4 cell counts of 200-499. J Infect
Dis 1991;164(5):864-868.
7 Mulder JW, Frissen PH, Krijnen P, Endert E, de Wolf F, Goudsmit
J, Masterson JG, Lange JM. Dehydroepiandrosterone as a predictor
for progression to AIDS in asymptomatic human immunodeficiency virus-infected
men. J Infect Dis 1992;165(3):413-418.
8 Christeff N, Gharakhanian S, Thobie N, Wirbel E, Dalle MT, Costagliola
D, Nunez EA, Rozenbaum W. J Clin Pathol 1997;50(4):341-45.
All
lab tests can be done through the mail in the privacy of your own
home, except blood tests, we send you to a lab to have your blood
drawn for these. After you pay for the test we mail you the kit,
the results take two weeks, the test results will be mailed to us
and we will call you to go over the results, its that easy! All
tests include the consultation for the report of findings.
Click on area
of interest on the right for more information
Call our office
for details. 800-956-7083 OR 818-707-3126
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