Balancing steroidal hormone cascade in treatment-resistant veteran soldiers with PTSD using a fermented soy product (FSWW08): a pilot study

Introduction: A clinical study was conducted to determine steroidal hormone cascade in the blood to relate them to mental performance with the Clinician-Administered PTSD scale (CAPS), serum lipid concentrations, and steroidal hormones, particularly cortisol, testosterone, estradiol, dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), and pregnenolone, in treatment-resistant male veterans with combat-related chronic posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) before and after consumption of a special fermented soy formulation (FSWW08). Admitted veterans in the study were resistant to conventional psychological and pharmacological therapies. Method: Ten treatment-resistant soldiers with combat-related PTSD (according to the International Classification of Diseases, 10th Revision code) for ≤1.5 years were enrolled in this study. A specially formulated fermented soy product, FSWW08, was given to the veterans for 3 months and then extended to 6 months. CAPS was used to assess the severity of PTSD. Immunologic cytokines, triglycerides, and 16 steroidal hormones were also determined from the blood of the PTSD patients before, during, and after consumption of the FSWW08. Results: FSWW08 increased blood levels of steroids, such as testosterone, estradiol, and particularly the adrenal hormones cortisol and androstenediol. Decreased steroidal hormones from the upper part of the hormone cascade, such as cholesterol, DHEA, and pregnenolone were experienced. The arteriosclerotic risk was reduced (cholesterol, 280±35 to 205±22 mmol/L, p