去氫表雄酮抑制劑Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA)?has potential chemopreventive activity. Produced endogenously,?DHEA? is an intermediate in the conversion of?cholesterol?to androgens and estrogens. Although the mechanisms of action of exogenously administered?DHEA?have not been fully illuminated, they may result in both direct and indirect physiologic effects. Direct effects include?GABA-a receptor complex and?NMDA?receptor modulation, and enhanced pancreatic beta cell insulin secretion and antiglucocorticoid activities.