Could Hormones Make a Difference in the Treatment of Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis?

Adrenal androgens dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA; prasterone) and its sulphated form (DHEA-S) are among the most abundant hormonal steroids in men and nonpregnant women. Deficiencies of these adrenal androgens are associated with autoimmune disorders such as rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Recent studies from our laboratory have also identified low levels of adrenal androgens in the serum and synovial fluid of patients with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis (JRA). These findings support and complement those already published for RA and other autoimmune diseases.