Development of an absolute quantification method targeting growth hormone biomarkers using liquid chromatography coupled to isotope dilution mass spec

J Chromatogr A. 2007 Jun 15;1153(1-2):300-6. ePub 21 March 2007
Kirsch S, Widart J, Louette J, Focant JF, De Pauw E.
University of Liege, Chemistry Department, Mass Spectrometry Laboratory, Allee de la Chimie 3, B-6c Sart-Tilman, B-4000 Liege, Belgium
PubMed ID & Record: 17418226

A method to perform absolute quantification of two biomarkers (IGF-1 and IGFBP-3) of growth hormone abuse has been developed. Isotope dilution is used with synthetically labelled peptides as internal standards. Peptide selection and multiple reaction monitoring design are discussed. A simple sample preparation based on the reduction and alkylation of cysteine residues followed by tryptic digestion provides a sufficient digestion of proteins. Serum samples fortified with increasing amounts of target proteins are analysed by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) on a triple quadrupole mass spectrometer. Specificity is ensured by the selection of sequences with no homology in BLAST, as well as retention time deviation check, and ion ratio monitoring. Linearity is studied in terms of calibration curves. These curves for IGFBP-3 and IGF-1 are generated with mean slopes of 0.055 and 0.065, intercepts of 0.107 and -0.011, and with coefficients of correlation of 0.95 and 0.98, respectively. These curves result from the addition of proteins to the serum. Risks of variations related to potential matrix effects are therefore reduced, as well as probable variations related to the digestion steps. The working concentration ranges are 4-10 ng/microl for IGFBP-3 and 2-8 ng/microl for IGF-1. Preliminary data regarding repeatability show that relative standard deviations (RSDs) range between 13 and 32% for IGFBP-3 and between 7 and 29% for IGF-1.

Famprofazone as the source of methamphetamine and amphetamine in urine specimen collected during sport competition

J Forensic Sci. 2007 Mar;52(2):479-86
Tseng YL, Lin CT, Wang SM, Liu RH.
Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Tzu Chi University, Hualien, Taiwan
PubMed ID & Record: 17316255

During a sport competition event in Taiwan, one urine specimen was found positive for both methamphetamine (2688 ng/mL) and amphetamine (462 ng/mL). The specimen donor claimed that she had taken Gewolen (a nonprescription drug manufactured in Taiwan) for treating abdominal pain and the medication was presented. Laboratory investigation confirmed that Gewolen contains famprofazone, which is known to metabolize to methamphetamine and amphetamine and is included in the prohibited list of the World Anti-Doping Agency. Study on the excretion profiles of three volunteers ingesting 50 mg famprofazone produced the following patterns similar to that observed in the case specimen: (a) the ratio of methamphetamine to amphetamine was approximately 6 to 1; (b) d- and l-enantiomers of both methamphetamine and amphetamine were present, while the amount of l-methamphetamine was 3-4-fold greater than its counterpart. The data suggested that famprofazone (as the ingredient of Gewolen) was likely the source of the prohibited drugs found in the case specimen.

Rethinking enhancement in sport

Ann N Y Acad Sci. 2006 Dec;1093:301-20.
Miah A.
School of Media, Language and Music, University of Paisley, Ayr Campus, KA8 0SR Scotland, United Kingdom
PubMed ID & Record: 17312265

This article explores the arguments surrounding the use of human enhancement technologies in sport, arguing for a reconceptualization of the doping debate. First, it develops an overview and critique of the legislative structures on enhancement. Subsequently, a conceptual framework for understanding the role of technological effects in sport is advanced. Finally, two case studies (hypoxic chambers and gene transfer) receive specific attention, through which it is argued that human enhancement technologies can enrich the practice of elite sports rather than diminish them. In conclusion, it is argued that elite sports are at a pivotal moment in their history as an increasing range of enhancements makes less relevant the protection of the natural human through anti-doping.

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Justice, fairness, and enhancement. [Ann N Y Acad Sci. 2006] PubMed ID: 17312266
Only drugs can stop the sports cheats. [New Sci. 2006] PubMed ID: 17061392
Bioethics, sport and the genetically enhanced athlete. [Med Etika Bioet. 2002] PubMed ID: 16285154

Blood tests in tired elite athletes: expectations of athletes, coaches and sport science/sports medicine staff

Br J Sports Med. 2007 Jan;41(1):41-4. (ePpub 2006 Oct 24)
Fallon KE.
Department of Sports Medicine, Australian Institute of Sport, PO Box 176, Belconnen 2616, Canberra, Australia
PubMed ID & Record: 17062653

BACKGROUND: The issue of the expectations of elite athletes, their coaches and non-medically qualified athlete support staff of consultations with sports physicians has not been previously dealt with in the sports medicine literature. As fulfillment of expectations of the content of a consultation may influence patient's satisfaction and clinical outcome, it is important to assess the expectations of athletes and, most importantly, coaches. OBJECTIVE: To assess the expectations and beliefs about fatigue, particularly in relation to blood tests, of athletes, their coaches and support staff in the specific context of tiredness of <7 days' duration. SUBJECTS: 28 senior sports science or non-medically qualified sports medicine staff, 22 elite coaches and 62 elite athletes from the Australian Institute of Sport were included in this study. METHODS: A single questionnaire. RESULTS: The expectation for a blood test at the initial consultation for short-term fatigue was particularly high among athletes (81%) and coaches (91%). This expectation increased in athletes if their performance was worsening. All groups unanimously suggested that a blood test be performed in cases of more prolonged fatigue. Increase in total training load was perceived to be the most important cause of fatigue, but issues relating to sleep were also thought to be highly relevant. All groups suggested that blood tests provide some degree of reassurance, and all groups suggested that the most important blood tests that might be performed related to exclusion of iron deficiency, anaemia and infection. CONCLUSION: Athletes and their coaches generally expect that blood tests will be performed even when fatigue has been present for <1 week. This is at odds with currently available evidence of the diagnostic utility of these tests. Despite the current evidence base, individual factors in the athletes, coaches and doctors need to be considered when deciding on whether such testing has to be performed.