Dehydroepiandrosterone and allopregnanolone protect sympathoadrenal medulla cells against apoptosis via antiapoptotic Bcl-2 proteins
Before your eyes glaze over from the long title–this one is important. DHEA and allopregnanlone are produced in part by the adrenal glands. However, under times of stress, the production goes down so the adrenals can produce more cortisol to help the body deal with the stress.
This study finds that these two compounds actually protect the cells of the adrenal gland. So–more stress means less protection to the cells that produce compounds that protect themselves. Kind of convoluted, huh? This would definitely suggests that adrenal support during times of stress is critical to long term ability of the adrenals to do their job.
PNAS — Abstracts: Charalampopoulos et al. 101 (21): 8209 –