NOTEWORTHY ARTICLES 2006

Doping Journal 'Noteworthy' section alerts interested readers about the selected noteworthy original research and selected review articles, book reviews, and meeting reports (published in other journals) on the subject of the Doping Journal scope.

The reference to each article may be accompanied by the referee name (a member of the journal editorial board or a journal reader), the authors' key note comments, original abstract, the date of the 'noteworthy' alert, letter to the editor link, and links to related articles (if any).

Please note that 'Noteworthy articles' section of the Doping Journal does not make a claim to being most comprehensive and does not aim to substitute other bibliography databases (such as PubMed, for example). We may inadvertently omit certain articles due to a lack of information. If you notice an omission, please contribute your own selection.

Also please note that we aim to bring to your attention uncensored  information related to a particular article, to minimize possible associated bias, and to point you to a fair discussion by providing links to related articles. We request you to critically evaluate information and ground your own opinion on a deep analysis of all available literature. The appearance of a noteworthy article below is not an endorsement or approval of an article experimental approach, content, discussion, conclusion, and/or media interest. Patents/company alert may indicate a competing interest of an author or a commentator.

We welcome readers to actively participate in the discussion of any noteworthy article on the journal scope by publishing in DJ letters to editor. We will not only publish your letter in about two weeks, but may also offer it (in case of a contributor interest) as a communication arizing correspondence item to a journal where an article under discussion was published. To submit letter click here. Also, see letters recently published at the Doping Journal.

Document navigation menu and related items:

NOTEWORTHY INDEX | 2004 | 2005

SUBMIT LETTER2EDITOR

DOAJ SEARCH

PUBMED SEARCH

DJ PATENTS

GOOGLE SCHOLAR

Assessing the instability of the isoelectric focusing patterns of erythropoietin in urine
Belalcazar V, Gallego RG, Llop E, Segura J, Pascual JA
Pharmacology Research Unit, Bio-Analysis Group, Municipal Institute of Medical Research (IMIM), Barcelona, Spain
Electrophoresis (19 oct 2006) ePpub ahead of print
[PubMed] [Authors contact]

Abstract: IEF can be used to differentiate human urinary erythropoietin (uEPO), recombinant human erythropoietin or epoetin (rEPO) and darbepoetin (novel erythropoiesis stimulating protein (NESP)). This is the basis of the method currently used to detect misuse of rEPO and NESP by elite athletes. Recently, an unknown activity has been attributed to some urine samples (denominated 'unstable' urine by the World Anti-Doping Agency; WADA). This activity has shown to give rise to artefactual profiles for both rEPO and NESP when incubated with such urine and, thus, raised concerns with respect to doping control. We have evaluated which charges produce the characteristic IEF profiles of uEPO, rEPO and NESP and how these profiles respond to distinct enzymatic reactions. From sialidase digestions it became evident that only uEPO contains charges different from sialic acid, and a comparison of all substances after complete de-N-glycosylation localized these charges in the carbohydrate moiety. Partial desialylation, or digestion with arylsulfatase from Helix pomatia yielded profiles for recombinants species similar to those observed for unstable urine samples. The contributions from our studies to the anti-doping problem include: (i) protocols that may corroborate the potential misuse of rEPO or NESP based on the particular enzymatic activity of an arylsulfatase preparation, or a broad-specificity sialidase; (ii) assurance that the instability observed in some urine samples may only result from false-negatives, but not from false-positive testing; and (iii) a simple remedy to prevent an unstable urine from altering the IEF profile by adding selective competitive substrates.

selected by Alexei Koudinov | DJ Global Newsstand | This item permanent URL

Determination of the origin of urinary norandrosterone traces by gas chromatography combustion isotope ratio mass spectrometry
AE Nelson, CJ Howe, TV Nguyen, MJ Seibel, RC Baxter, DJ Handelsman, R Kazlauskas, and KK Ho
Clin Endocrinol (Oxf) (1 September 2005) 33(3): 305
[PubMed] [Authors contact]

selected by Alexei Koudinov | DJ Global Newsstand | This item permanent URL

Quantitative analysis of images in erythropoietin doping control
I Bajla, I Hollander, G Gmeiner, and Ch Reichel
Med Biol Eng Comput (1 May 2005) 43(3): 403
[PubMed] [Authors contact]

selected by Alexei Koudinov | DJ Global Newsstand | This item permanent URL

Androgenic-anabolic steroids abuse in males
L Di Luigi, F Romanelli, and A Lenzi
J Endocrinol Invest (1 January 2005) 28(3 Suppl): 81
[PubMed] [Authors contact]

selected by Alexei Koudinov | DJ Global Newsstand | This item permanent URL

Growth hormone and connective tissue in exercise
S Doessing and M Kjaer
Scand J Med Sci Sports (1 August 2005) 15(4): 202
[PubMed] [Authors contact]

selected by Alexei Koudinov | DJ Global Newsstand | This item permanent URL

Accidental breaches of the doping regulations in sport: is there a need to improve the education of sportspeople?
SJ Somerville, M Lewis, and H Kuipers
Br J Sports Med (1 August 2005) 39(8): 512
[PubMed] [Authors contact]

selected by Alexei Koudinov | DJ Global Newsstand | This item permanent URL

Erythropoietin in Sports: A New Look at An Old Problem
Joshua Scott and George C Phillips
Toxicol Lett (1 August 2005)
[PubMed] [Authors contact]

selected by Alexei Koudinov | DJ Global Newsstand | This item permanent URL

Cannabis use to enhance sportive and non-sportive performances among French sport students
FO Lorente, P Peretti-Watel, and L Grelot
Addict Behav (1 August 2005) 30(7): 1382
[PubMed] [Authors contact]

selected by Alexei Koudinov | DJ Global Newsstand | This item permanent URL

Challenges in Detecting the Abuse of Growth Hormone in Sports
Cathy M McHugh, Roderick T Park, Peter H Sonksen, and Richard I G Holt
Clin Chem (14 July 2005)
[PubMed] [Authors contact]

selected by Alexei Koudinov | DJ Global Newsstand | This item permanent URL

Haematological testing to fight blood doping response - letter to the editors: haematological testing and antidoping policies - re: Robinson N, Schattenberg L, Zorzoli M, Mangin P, Saugy M. Haematological analysis conducted at the departure of the tour de france 2001
N Robinson, P Mangin, and M Saugy
Int J Sports Med (1 July 2002) 26(6): 510
[PubMed] [Authors contact]

selected by Alexei Koudinov | DJ Global Newsstand | This item permanent URL

Adverse effects of anabolic steroids in athletes A constant threat
C Maravelias, A Dona, M Stefanidou, and C Spiliopoulou
Toxicol Lett (5 July 2005)
[PubMed] [Authors contact]

selected by Alexei Koudinov | DJ Global Newsstand | This item permanent URL

Forecasting of top athletic performance
P Derevenco, M Albu, and E Duma
Rom J Physiol (1 January 2002) 39-40: 57
[PubMed] [Authors contact]

selected by Alexei Koudinov | DJ Global Newsstand | This item permanent URL

The negative regulation of red cell mass by neocytolysis: physiologic and pathophysiologic manifestations
L Rice and C Alfrey
Cell Physiol Biochem (1 January 2005) 15(6): 245
[PubMed] [Authors contact]

selected by Alexei Koudinov | DJ Global Newsstand | This item permanent URL

Herbal supplements in sport: use and abuse
Joshua Scott and George C Phillips
Ann Ist Super Sanita (1 January 2005) 41(1): 35
[PubMed] [Authors contact]

selected by Alexei Koudinov | DJ Global Newsstand | This item permanent URL

Adverse effects of anabolic steroids in athletes A constant threat
C Maravelias, A Dona, M Stefanidou, and C Spiliopoulou
Toxicol Lett (5 July 2005)
[PubMed] [Authors contact]

selected by Alexei Koudinov | DJ Global Newsstand | This item permanent URL

Medication and supplement use by athletes
Ciocca M
Clin Sports Med (1 July 2005) 24(3): 719
[PubMed] [Authors contact]

selected by Alexei Koudinov | DJ Global Newsstand | This item permanent URL

Chimera on a Bike?
Credit: Stein W
Science (24 June 2005) 308(5730): 1864b
[PubMed] [Related Doping J News: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 ] [Authors contact]

Excerpt: "...Last September, Olympian Tyler Hamilton, 34, of Boulder, Colorado, was accused of taking a blood transfusion to boost his performance after a newly developed test showed he had two different types of red blood cells. Hamilton denied the charge, and with the help of geneticist David Housman of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in Cambridge, he has been arguing that he might be a chimera: an organism with a mix of genetically distinct cells. Human chimeras are not all that rare, Housman told a board arbitrating the case in March. Mothers and fetuses often exchange blood-producing stem cells, and fetuses can also get foreign cells from sharing the womb with a "vanishing twin," he said. But the arbitrators didn't bite, voting 2 to 1 to uphold a 2-year suspension and stating that blood doping was "the only reasonable conclusion." Encouraged by the split decision, however, Hamilton is again appealing, this time to a sport arbitration court in Switzerland... Mother-fetus chimerism is unlikely to produce foreign cells at the levels found in Hamilton's blood - about 2% - says geneticist Wendy Robinson of the University of British Columbia in Vancouver, Canada. But Housman predicts that more athletes who are actually chimeras will show up as suspected blood dopers. And, wrote Hamilton this month in his online journal, "If we've accomplished nothing else in this case, we have put a spotlight on the vanishing twin phenomenon.""

selected by Evgenii Koudinov | DJ Global Newsstand | This item permanent URL

Governing Doped Bodies: The World Anti-Doping Agency and the Global Culture of Surveillance
Jin-Kyung Park
University of Illinois - Urbana-Champaign
Cultural Studies <=> Critical Methodologies (2005) 5(2): 174-188
[PubMed] [Authors contact]

Abstract: "This essay examines the governing practices of the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), an organization established in 1999 to cope with the crisis of illicit performance-enhancing drug use in international sport. The background, structure, and policies of WADA are analyzed while reflecting upon recent cultural studies debates on governmentality. In doing so, it is shown how WADA policies fundamentally work to police athletic bodies. Also demonstrated is that WADA embodies a First World, technology-driven governance of doping. Key Words: governmentality, surveillance, body, doping, globalization."

selected by Evgenii Koudinov | DJ Global Newsstand | This item permanent URL

The world anti-doping code 2003 - consequences for physicians associated with elite athletes
Striegel H, Rossner D, Simon P, and Niess AM
Medical Clinic and Policlinic, Department of Sports Medicine, University of Tubingen, Silcherstrasse 5, 72076 Tubingen, Germany
Int J Sports Med (1 April 2005) 26(3): 238
[PubMed] [Authors contact]

Abstract: "The purpose of the World Anti-Doping Code 2003 and the 2004 Prohibited List is to create a universal international standard to fight doping in competitive sports. The result of this is a whole series of changes for doctors with regard to their work with competitive athletes. The revised definition of doping now includes physicians in the group of persons who can fulfil the elements of a doping offence. Moreover, the mere possession of substances appearing on the Prohibited List represents a violation of anti-doping regulations. The 2004 Prohibited List includes several changes to the Olympic Movement List from 2003. Caffeine, for example, was removed from the list. Cannabinoids, on the other hand, are now prohibited in competition for all sports. The same is true for all forms of glucocorticosteroids. Therapeutic use exemptions in an abbreviated process are possible for the administration of glucocorticosteroids by non-systemic routes, as well as inhalative therapy with the beta-2-agonists formoterol, salbutamol, salmeterol, and termbutalin. In other cases, a therapeutic use exemption is possible using a standard application process. Further changes will become effective in the 2005 Prohibited List. In 2005, it is essential that beta-2-agonists are prohibited in and out of competition. HCG and LH are prohibited for all athletes. Dermatological preparations of glucocorticosteroids are no longer prohibited, and intravenous infusions will be a prohibited method in 2005, except as a legitimate acute medical treatment. In cases of violations of anti-doping regulations where it is permissible for the affected person to furnish proof of exoneration, the burden of proof is not higher than that required to prove the violation. The sanctions provided for in the World Anti-Doping Code follow a principle of rules and exceptions which at first glance seems difficult to understand. In the case of doping violations by physicians, the anti-doping code provides - as a general rule - for exclusion from sports associations for at least four years. Since several of the changes are questionable under constitutional aspects, it remains to be seen whether the World Anti-Doping Code 2003 will allow the achievement of a universal standard to combat doping."

selected by Evgenii Koudinov | DJ Global Newsstand | This item permanent URL

Screening for unknown synthetic steroids in human urine by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry
Thevis M, Geyer H, Mareck U, Schanzer W
Institute of Biochemistry, German Sport University Cologne, Carl-Diem Weg 6, 50933, Cologne, Germany
J Mass Spectrom (2 June 2005) ePub ahead of print
[PubMed] [Related Article] [Authors contact]

Abstract: "Chemically modified steroids (designer steroids), including tetrahydrogestrinone and norbolethone, pose a threat to the integrity of the sport community. These compounds have recently been detected in urine specimens from athletes, resulting in temporary or permanent suspension from amateur and/or professional competition. Triple quadrupole mass spectrometers enable doping control laboratories to screen for unknown, anabolic, androgenic steroids utilizing precursor ion scans. On the basis of common dissociation patterns of steroids with common structural features, characteristic product ions were selected to serve as diagnostic markers for previously unidentified drugs or drug metabolites in human urine samples. An assay was established to complement standard screening procedures. Urine specimens were enzymically hydrolyzed, partitioned into ether, concentrated, and analyzed by precursor ion scanning. Spectra from samples fortified with eight standard compounds (methyltestosterone, ethyltestosterone, 1-testosterone, gestrinone, dihydrogestrinone, tetrahydrogestrinone, norbolethone, and propyltrenbolone) and one deuterium-labeled analog (d(4)-tetrahydrogestrinone) at 50 ng/ml of urine, had precursor ion peaks other than those from common endogenous steroids. Subsequent product ion scan experiments on precursor ions of peaks of unknown origin provided structural identification of the unknown compounds."

selected by Alexei Koudinov | DJ Global Newsstand | This item permanent URL

Screening for unknown synthetic steroids in human urine by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry
Thevis M, Geyer H, Mareck U, Schanzer W
Institute of Biochemistry, German Sport University Cologne, Carl-Diem Weg 6, 50933, Cologne, Germany
J Mass Spectrom (2 June 2005) ePub ahead of print
[PubMed] [Related Article] [Authors contact]

Abstract: "Chemically modified steroids (designer steroids), including tetrahydrogestrinone and norbolethone, pose a threat to the integrity of the sport community. These compounds have recently been detected in urine specimens from athletes, resulting in temporary or permanent suspension from amateur and/or professional competition. Triple quadrupole mass spectrometers enable doping control laboratories to screen for unknown, anabolic, androgenic steroids utilizing precursor ion scans. On the basis of common dissociation patterns of steroids with common structural features, characteristic product ions were selected to serve as diagnostic markers for previously unidentified drugs or drug metabolites in human urine samples. An assay was established to complement standard screening procedures. Urine specimens were enzymically hydrolyzed, partitioned into ether, concentrated, and analyzed by precursor ion scanning. Spectra from samples fortified with eight standard compounds (methyltestosterone, ethyltestosterone, 1-testosterone, gestrinone, dihydrogestrinone, tetrahydrogestrinone, norbolethone, and propyltrenbolone) and one deuterium-labeled analog (d(4)-tetrahydrogestrinone) at 50 ng/ml of urine, had precursor ion peaks other than those from common endogenous steroids. Subsequent product ion scan experiments on precursor ions of peaks of unknown origin provided structural identification of the unknown compounds."

selected by Alexei Koudinov | DJ Global Newsstand | This item permanent URL

Oro-facial injuries in Central American and Caribbean sports games: a 20-year experience
Amy E
Department of Physical Medicine, Rehabilitation and Sports Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Puerto Rico, San Juan, Puerto Rico
Dent Traumatol (1 Jun 2005) 21(3): 127
[PubMed] [Authors contact]

Abstract: "Dental services in sports competitions in the Games sponsored by the International Olympic Committee are mandatory. In every Central American, Pan American and Olympic Summer Games, as well as Winter Games, the Organizing Committee has to take all the necessary measures to assure dental services to all competitors. In all Olympic villages, as part of the medical services, a dental clinic is set up to treat any dental emergency that may arise during the Games. Almost every participating country in the Games has its own medical team and some may include a dentist. The major responsibilities of the team dentist as a member of the national sports delegation include: (i) education of the sports delegation about different oral and dental diseases and the illustration of possible problems that athletes or other personnel may encounter during the Games, (ii) adequate training and management of orofacial trauma during the competition, (iii) knowledge about the rules and regulations of the specific sport that the dentist is working, (iv) understanding of the anti-doping control regulations and procedures, (v) necessary skills to fabricate a custom-made and properly fitted mouth guard to all participants in contact or collision sports of the delegation. This study illustrates the dental services and occurrence of orofacial injury at the Central American and Caribbean Sports Games of the Puerto Rican Delegation for the past 20 years. A total of 2107 participants made up the six different delegations at these Games. Of these 279 or 13.2% were seen for different dental conditions. The incidence of acute or emergency orofacial conditions was 18 cases or 6% of the total participants. The most frequent injury was lip contusion with four cases and the sport that experienced more injuries was basketball with three cases."

selected by Alexei Koudinov | DJ Global Newsstand | This item permanent URL

Quantitative detection of doping substances by a localised surface plasmon sensor
Kreuzer MP, Quidant R, Badenes G, Marco M-P
Department of Biological Organic Chemistry IIQAB-CSIC, Jordi Girona 18-26, 08034 Barcelona, Spain
Biosens Bioelectron (31 May 2005) ePub ahead of print
[PubMed] [Authors contact]

Abstract: "Within this communication, consistent evidence of a quantitative biosensing principle for steroidal residue analysis is presented. Our approach uses a simple method for the quantitative determination of an anabolic agent called stanozolol (Sz). Sz (Mw 328) is widely used in sports, horse racing and as a growth promoter in animals for human consumption. Through the use of localised surface plasmons (LSPs), sustained by three-dimensional noble metal nano-structures, we have developed a highly specific, label-less immunosensor for the detection of this small organic molecule to low levels (nM range). A main practical advantage over conventional flat extended film surface plasmon resonance (SPR) systems is the simplicity of the optical configuration, since there is no need for cumbersome total internal reflection illumination, thus making integration easier. In addition, the active area of the LSP-based sensor is smaller, decreasing the minimum detectable number of molecules involved in the binding event. Assay times are short and the set-up is comprised of relatively cheap instrumentation. Detection levels found here are comparable with SPR, even at this early stage of development and with further modifications, we envisage sensing down to pM (10(-12)) levels."

selected by Alexei Koudinov | DJ Global Newsstand | This item permanent URL

DNA typing: an accessory evidence in doping control
MA Sipoli Marques, LM Pinto Damasceno, HM Gualberto Pereira, CM Caldeira, BF Pereira Dias, D de Giacomo Vargens, ND Amoedo, RO Volkweis, RO Volkweis Viana, FD Rumjanek, and FR Aquino Neto
LABDOP-LADETEC, Instituto de Quimica, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Ilha do Fundao, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil-21949-900
J Forensic Sci (1 May 2005) 50(3): 587
[PubMed] [Authors contact]

Abstract: "A clear positive case for anabolic steroids doping was confounded by alleged urine tampering during doping control procedures. Review of the chain of custody showed no flaws, but nevertheless the athlete was adamant that the urine sample should be analyzed for DNA in order to support her contention that she was not the donor of the sample. The results obtained showed that the urine sample that scored positive for steroids contained nuclear DNA that could not be matched to the DNA obtained from the athlete's blood. On the other hand, the same urine sample contained mitochondrial DNA whose nucleotide sequences spanning the hyper variable regions HV1 and HV2 proved to be identical to those determined in mitochondrial DNA amplified from the athlete's blood. The occurrence of an extraneous genotype is compatible with exogenous nuclear DNA admixture to the athlete's urine. Alternatively, taking in consideration the mitochondrial DNA, we could not exclude that a sibling or a maternal relative of the athlete could have acted as a donor of the urine utilized for doping control and DNA analysis. Both situations point to possible tampering of the urine by the athlete. Adjudication at CAS maintained previous national and international federation decision that there was no proof of a chain of custody flaw to justify the athlete's allegation of urine substitution after collection."

selected by Alexei Koudinov | DJ Global Newsstand | This item permanent URL

Qualitative Determination of Synthetic Analogues of Insulin in Human Plasma by Immunoaffinity Purification and Liquid Chromatography-Tandem Mass Spectrometry for Doping Control Purposes
Mario Thevis, Andreas Thomas, Philippe Delahaut, Alain Bosseloir, Wilhelm Schanzer
Laboratoire Suisse d'Analyse du Dopage, Institut Universitaire de Medecine Legale, Rue du Bugnon 21, 1005 Lausanne, Switzerland
Anal Chem (1 June 2005) 77(11): 3579
[PubMed] [Related Article by this group] [Authors contact]

Abstract: "Synthetic insulins such as Humalog Lispro, Novolog Aspart, or Lantus Glargine, are commonly employed for the treatment of insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus owing to convenient handling and fast or prolonged bioavailability. However, the misuse of insulin in sports has been reported often, and the international doping control system requires a reliable and robust assay to determine the presence or absence of related drugs prohibited by the World Anti-Doping Agency. Qualitative evidence of administered substances, which is preferably obtained by mass spectrometry, is of utmost importance. Plasma specimens of 2 mL were fortified with three synthetic insulin analogues and purified by immunoaffinity chromatography, and extracts were analyzed by microbore liquid chromatography and tandem mass spectrometry. Product ion scan experiments of intact proteins enabled the differentiation between endogenously produced insulin and its synthetic analogues by collisionally activated dissociation of multiply charged precursor ions. This top-down sequencing-based assay allows the assignment of individual fragment ions, in particular, of those comprising modifications that are originating from C-termini of B-chains. Recoveries of synthetic insulins from plasma aliquots ranged from 91 to 98%, and detection limits were accomplished at 0.5 ng/mL for all target analytes."

selected by Evgenii Koudinov | DJ Global Newsstand | This item permanent URL

Proportionate mortality of Italian soccer players: is amyotrophic lateral sclerosis an occupational disease?
Belli MS, Vanacore N
Istituto Superiore di Sanita, Department of Environment and Primary Prevention, Rome, Italy
Eur J Epidemiol (1 January 2005) 20(3): 237
[PubMed] [Authors contact]

Abstract: "OBJECTIVES: The objective of the study is to investigate the mortality experience of Italian soccer players and to discuss the findings in the light of possible long term effects of doping. METHODS: Standardized proportionate mortality ratio (SPMR) and standardized proportionate cancer mortality ratio (SPCMR) were computed for 350 deceased subjects deriving from a list of about 24,000 active Italian soccer players from 1960 to 1996 in the three top leagues (A, B and C). RESULTS: When considering SPMRs, there is a substantial adherence of observed to expected mortality, with the only exception of mortality for diseases of the nervous system (13 obs. vs. 6 exp.) mainly explained by an excess of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (8 obs. vs 0.69 exp.). As far as SPCMRs are concerned, some digestive cancers (namely: colon cancer, liver cancer and pancreas cancer) show a doubled risk. CONCLUSIONS: A high risk for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis is observed among Italian soccer players. Epidemiological data on association between sport and Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) are contrasting. On the basis of the overall available evidence we suggest a possible connection between dietary supplements or drugs used to enhance sporting performance and ALS pathogenesis. Further epidemiological studies are needed to confirm these specific mortality risks among soccer players."

selected by Alexei Koudinov | DJ Global Newsstand | This item permanent URL

Quantification and profiling of 19-norandrosterone and 19-noretiocholanolone in human urine after consumption of a nutritional supplement and norsteroids
Tseng YL, Kuo FH, Sun KH
Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, and Doping Control Center, Tzu Chi University, Hualien, Taiwan
J Anal Toxicol (1 March 2005) 29(2): 124
[PubMed] [Authors contact]

Abstract: "Nandrolone is one of the synthetic anabolic steroids banned in sports and has been a popular substance abused by athletes in recent years. One of its major metabolites, 19-norandrosterone (19-NA), has been used as a determinant for drug violations in sports. Current reports regarding nandrolone-positive cases have been related to intake of some nandrolone-free nutritional supplements. The aim of this study was to learn whether if a nutritional supplement sold by over-the-counter (OTC) nutritional stores could yield the same metabolic products as that of nandrolone. If so, what is (are) the substance(s) that contributed to the nandrolone metabolites? To determine the content of an OTC nutritional supplement, a tablet was dissolved in methanol, followed by N-methyl-N-trimethylsilyltrifluoroacetamide (MSTFA)-trimethyliodosilane (TMIS) derivatization prior to gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis. The collected urine samples underwent extraction, enzymatic hydrolysis, and derivatization before the analyses of GC-MS. The results showed that seven anabolic steroids were found as contaminants in the nutritional supplement, in addition to six that were listed in the ingredients by the manufacturer. We confirmed previous reports that administration of the OTC supplement could produce a positive urine test for nandrolone metabolites. Furthermore, the results from excretion studies showed that 19-NA and 19-noretiocholanolone (19-NE) were present in urine after consuming the nutritional supplement, nandrolone, 19-nor-4-androsten-3,17-dione, 19-nor-4-androsten-3beta,17beta-diol, and 19-nor-5-androsten-3beta,17beta-diol. The 19-NA concentrations in urine were generally higher than that of 19-NE (19-NA/19-NE ratio > 1.0) especially during the early stage of excretion, that is, before 6 h post-administration. After this period of time, the concentrations of 19-NA and 19-NE fluctuated and might even have reversed (19-NA/19-NE ratio < 1.0) in their ratio, that is, higher yield in 19-NE than that in 19-NA. On the basis of this study, we postulate that some doping violations of nandrolone could be attributed by indiscriminate administration of the OTC nutritional supplements that contained 19-norsteroids."

selected by Evgenii Koudinov | DJ Global Newsstand | This item permanent URL

Short-Term administration of supraphysiologic rhGH does not increase maximum endurance exercise capacity in healthy, active young men and women with normal GH-IGF-1 axes
Berggren A, Ehrnborg C, Rosen T, Ellegard L, Bengtsson B-A, Caidahl K
Departments of Clinical Physiology, Endocrinologyand Clinical Nutrition, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Göteborg; Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden
J Clin Endocrinol Metab (22 March 2005) doi: 10.1210/jc.2004-1209
[PubMed] [Abstract] [Authors contact]

Abstract: "Context. In spite of the fact that the use of growth hormone (GH) as a doping agent in sports is widespread, little is known about its short-term effects. Objective. To study the effects of GH on exercise capacity. Design. Double-blind, placebo-controlled study; treatment period 28 days. Setting. Subjects from general community studied ambulatory at a university hospital. Participants. 30 healthy active young normal volunteers, 15 female and 15 male, were recruited by local announcement and all completed the study. Intervention. All the subjects were randomized to receive a low GH dose (0.033 mg, or 0.1 IU, per kg/day), a high GH dose (0.067 mg, or 0.2 IU, per kg/day) or placebo. Main outcome measures. Power output and oxygen uptake (VO2) on bicycle exercise. Results. We found no effect by the low or high dosages of GH on maximum oxygen uptake during exercise (mean ± SE for placebo 45.2 ± 1.6 to 45.2 ± 2.1ml/kg/min, GH low dose 42.8 ± 1.6 to 42.8 ± 1.6 ml/kg/min and GH high dose 44.8 ± 3.4 to 44.8 ± 2.2 ml/kg/min; two-way ANOVA not significant). Neither was there any effect on maximum achieved power output during exercise, nor on blood pressure, heart rate or the electrocardiographic ST-level at rest or during exercise. GH significantly increased total body weight (P = 0.028), an effect predominantly ascribed to fluid retention (increased extracellular water volume, ECW), while muscle mass (as indicated by intracellular water volume, ICW) did not change. However, changes of the latter correlated to changes in physical performance, possibly due to different training efforts. Conclusion. Supraphysiologic rhGH during a period of 4 weeks does not improve power output or oxygen uptake. Key words: Doping, exercise capacity, growth hormone, intracellular water, oxygen uptake"

selected by Alexei Koudinov | DJ Global Newsstand | This item permanent URL

Seasonal allergy and seasonal decrements in athletic performance
Komarow HD, Postolache TT
Clin Sports Med (1 April 2005) 24(2): e35
[PubMed] [Authors contact]

selected by Alexei Koudinov | DJ Global Newsstand | This item permanent URL

Haematological analysis conducted at the departure of the Tour de France 2001
Robinson N, Schattenberg L, Zorzoli M, Mangin P, Saugy M
Int J Sports Med (1 April 2005) 26(3): 200
[PubMed] [Authors contact]

selected by Alexei Koudinov | DJ Global Newsstand | This item permanent URL

Modafinil in sports: ethical considerations
Kaufman KR, Gerner R
Br J Sports Med (1 April 2005) 39(4): 241
[PubMed] [Authors contact]

selected by Alexei Koudinov | DJ Global Newsstand | This item permanent URL

[Doping control in sports]
Ueki M
Nippon Rinsho (1 December 2005) 62(Supplement 12): 356
[PubMed] [Authors contact]

selected by Alexei Koudinov | DJ Global Newsstand | This item permanent URL

[The fight against doping: today and tomorrow]
Rieu M
Bull Acad Natl Med (1 January 2004) 188(6): 955
[PubMed] [Authors contact]

selected by Alexei Koudinov | DJ Global Newsstand | This item permanent URL

Development of Miniaturized Competitive Immunoassays on a Protein Chip as a Screening Tool for Drugs
Du H, Wu M, Yang W, Yuan G, Sun Y, Lu Y, Zhao S, Du Q, Wang J, Yang S, Pan M, Lu Y, Wang S, Jing Cheng J
Clin Chem (29 January 2005) 51(2): 368-375
[Abstract] [Authors contact]

selected by Alexei Koudinov | DJ Global Newsstand | This item permanent URL

The use of nutritional supplements among master athletes
Striegel H, Simon P, Wurster C, Niess AM, Ulrich R.
Medical Clinic and Policlinic, Department of Sports Medicine, University of Tubingen, Tubingen, Germany
Int J Sports Med. (March 2006) 27(3): 236-41
[PubMed] [Authors contact]

Abstract: "We assessed the use of nutritional supplements among master athletes focusing on their source of information and source of supply of nutritional supplements. 1560 standardized, anonymous questionnaires were distributed among participants of the World Masters Athletics Championships Indoors 2004. These questions were related to biometric parameters, social indicators, training parameters, illicit drugs, and nutritional supplements. Chi2-tests were computed to reveal meaningful associations between basic information (age, gender, family status, children, education, country of origin, disciplines, training years, smoking, and the use of alcohol, illicit drugs, and doping) and the intake of nutritional supplements. Descriptive information on the history of their use of nutritional supplements was also provided. 60.5 % of all participants reported the actual use of nutritional supplements. We found no significant differences between nutritional supplement users and non-users with regard to basic information. The substances predominantly used were vitamins (35.4 %) and minerals (29.9 %). In contrast to elite athletes who use nutritional supplements to increase their athletic performance, master athletes use these substances predominantly for health reasons and, thus, have a closer contact to the health care system. Physicians are their preferred source of information about nutritional supplements. More than half of the interviewed athletes obtain their nutritional supplements from pharmacies or physicians. The results of this study indicate that nutritional supplement users in master athletics show no specific user profile. Since it is not rare for nutritional supplements to contain trace contaminations of anabolic androgenic steroids or pro-hormones, physicians should also inform master competitive athletes of the dangers of testing positive for doping substances due to their intake of nutritional supplements and advise them accordingly."

selected by Alexei Koudinov | DJ Global Newsstand | This item permanent URL

Influence of performance level on dietary supplementation in elite Canadian athletes
Erdman KA, Fung TS, Reimer RA.
Faculty of Kinesiology, Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
Med Sci Sports Exerc. (Feb 2006) 38(2): 349-56
[PubMed] [Authors contact]

Abstract: "INTRODUCTION: It is well documented that athletes report greater dietary supplement (DS) usage than nonathletes; however, limited data exist for Canadian athletes, especially relative to competitive performance levels. PURPOSE: This descriptive and analytical, cross-sectional research investigated DS practices and opinions, preferred means for DS education, and antidoping opinions among elite Canadian athletes competing at various performance levels. METHODS: Subjects completed a validated questionnaire by recall. Combined, 582 high-performance athletes (314 M, 268 F) between the ages of 11 and 42 yr (mean 19.96 +/- 3.91 yr) and representing 27 sports activities participated. Respondents were categorized into five competitive performance levels: provincial (68), national (101), North America (61), international or professional (89), and varsity (263). RESULTS: Overall, most (88.4%) reported taking one or more DS during the previous 6 months (mean 3.08 +/- 1.87 DS per user). From a total of 1555 DS declared, sport drinks (22.4%), sport bars (14.0%), multivitamins and minerals (13.5%), protein supplements (9.0%), and vitamin C (6.4%) were most frequently reported. Athletes at the highest performance level were significantly more likely to use protein supplements, to be advised by strength trainers regarding DS usage, to have a higher self-rating of their diet, to prefer individual interviews for DS educational purposes, to perceive greater awareness of antidoping legislation, and train more h.wk(-1). Furthermore, differences were observed for the types of DS reported and justifications for use. CONCLUSION: This dataset, the first of its kind in Canada, was generated with a validated and reliable questionnaire and has the potential to be extended nationally and internationally to provide greater insight into the patterns and opinions of elite athletes regarding supplementation and antidoping."

selected by Alexei Koudinov | DJ Global Newsstand | This item permanent URL

Pseudoephedrine enhances performance in 1500-m runners
Hodges K, Hancock S, Currell K, Hamilton B, Jeukendrup AE.
School of Sport and Exercise Sciences, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham, United Kingdom
Med Sci Sports Exerc. (Feb 2006) 38(2): 329-33
[PubMed] [Authors contact]

Abstract: "Pseudoephedrine is an over-the-counter drug to relieve nasal and sinus congestion. Although it has been suggested that pseudoephedrine could be a stimulant and ergogenic aid, pseudoephedrine was recently removed from the banned substance list by the International Olympic Committee and placed on the monitoring program (from January 2004). It was felt that evidence was lacking for an ergogenic effect, although few studies have investigated the effects of pseudoephedrine on exercise performance. This study, therefore, aimed to investigate the effects of pseudoephedrine on 1500-m running performance. METHODS: In a double-blind, randomized crossover design, seven male athletes completed two 1500-m running trials on an outdoor track after having completed a familiarization trial. All trials were 7 d apart. After a 12-h overnight fast, subjects reported to the laboratory and received a standardized breakfast (energy asymptotically equal to 500 kcal 50% CHO). Subjects were given either 2.5 mg.kg(-1) bw pseudoephedrine or 2.5 mg.kg(-1) bw maltodextrins (placebo) in gelatin capsules 70 min before the start of the warm-up, which started 20 min before they ran 1500 m all-out. Pre- and postexercise blood samples were collected and analyzed for lactate and glucose concentrations, partial pressure of oxygen (PO2) and carbon dioxide (PCO2), and percent oxygen saturation. RESULTS: Pseudoephedrine significantly decreased time to completion of 1500-m time trials in the present study by 2.1% (from 279.65 +/- 4.36 s with placebo to 273.86 +/- 4.36 s with pseudoephedrine) with no reported side effects. No changes in the measured blood parameters were found, suggesting a central effect of pseudoephedrine rather than a metabolic effect. CONCLUSION: The finding was that 2.5 mg.kg(-1) bw pseudoephedrine ingested 90 min preexercise improves 1500-m running performance."

selected by Alexei Koudinov | DJ Global Newsstand | This item permanent URL

A third generation approach to detect erythropoietin abuse in athletes
Sharpe K, Ashenden MJ, Schumacher YO.
Department of Mathematics and Statistics, University of Melbourne, Australia
Haematologica. (March 2006) 91(3): 356-63
[PubMed] [Authors contact]

Abstract: BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Information derived from blood analyses can assist in the detection and/or deterrence of blood doping in sport. We investigated whether comparing an athlete's hematologic values against his or her own historical baseline rather than population-derived thresholds enhanced the ability to detect blood doping. DESIGN AND METHODS: We developed an approach whereby an athlete's true baseline value could be estimated with just one prior blood test. We also estimated a universal value for within-subject variability for key hematologic parameters using the highest value obtained among four separate cohorts of male athletes including 80 elite rowers, 124 endurance-trained or team-sport subjects, 288 professional football players and 630 athletes competing at national or international level. The (individual) baseline and (universal) variability were then incorporated so as to define expected thresholds for subsequent blood tests. The sensitivity of our approach was obtained by analyzing data from 49 recreational athletes administered either recombinant human erythropoietin (n=37) or placebo (n=12). RESULTS: We found that removing within-subject variability by comparing new results against an historical baseline heightened the capacity to detect blood doping. It was possible to delineate the longitudinal changes in either hemoglobin (Hb) or the OFF-hr model score (an algorithm using both Hb and percent reticulocytes) caused by recombinant human erythropoietin treatment from the natural biological fluctuations found in subjects treated with placebo. INTERPRETATION AND CONCLUSIONS: Our objective data supported the intuitive belief that longitudinal monitoring of athletes' blood profiles will help detect blood doping. This information could be used to instigate target-testing of suspicious athletes, or even warrant the exclusion from competition of athletes with aberrant variations in key hematologic values.

selected by Alexei Koudinov | DJ Global Newsstand | This item permanent URL

Drug testing in elite athletes--the Israeli perspective
Epstein S, Eliakim A.
Ribstein Center for Sports Medicine and Science, Wingate Institute, Natanya, Israel
Med J Aust (15 November 2004) 181(10): 58
Isr Med Assoc J. (Oct 1999) 1(2): 79-82
[PubMed] [Authors contact]

Abstract: "BACKGROUND: The use of performance-enhancing drugs by athletes, in particular anabolic steroids, is probably one of the major problems in sports today. During the early 1990s the Israeli Sports Federation and Olympic Committee established the Israeli Sports Anti-Doping Committee. OBJECTIVES: To present a follow-up on tests for use of performance-enhancing drugs among elite Israeli athletes from 1993 until the present. METHODS: Since 1993, 273 drug tests (urine samples) were performed in elite Israeli athletes. These tests were done during major competitions, and at random during the regular training season without prior notice to the athletes. The urine samples were sent for analysis to an official drug laboratory of the Olympic Committee in Cologne, Germany. RESULTS: Since 1993, seven (2.7%) male Israeli elite athletes (5 weight lifters, a javelin thrower, and a sprinter) tested positive for performance-enhancing drugs--all of them for anabolic steroids, and two for diuretics as well. DISCUSSION: These findings suggest that the phenomenon of performance-enhancing drug use by elite athletes has also entered Israeli sports, and probably represent the tip of the iceberg among Israeli sportsmen. Therefore, more drug tests should be performed, especially at random without prior notice and during the regular season. Athletes in the most popular sports such as soccer and basketball should also be tested. The concern over the use of these agents is both medical and ethical."

selected by Alexei Koudinov | DJ Global Newsstand | This item permanent URL

Definition and outcome of a curriculum to prevent disordered eating and body-shaping drug use
Elliot DL, Moe EL, Goldberg L, DeFrancesco CA, Durham MB, Hix-Small H
J Sch Health. (Feb 2006) 76(2): 67-73
[PubMed] [Author contact]

Abstract: "Almost one half of male and female students participate in high school-sponsored athletics, and high school also is a time when classroom health promotion curricula are less effective. The Athletes Training and Learning to Avoid Steroids is a sport team-centered drug-use prevention program for male high school athletes, which has been shown to reduce alcohol and illicit drug use. Just as anabolic steroid use is associated with male athletes, female sport participants may be at a greater risk for disordered eating and body-shaping drug use. Extending sport team-centered programs to young women athletes required defining and ranking factors related to developing those harmful behaviors. Survey results from a cross-sectional cohort of female middle and high school student athletes were used to identify and prioritize potential curriculum components, including mood and self-esteem, norms of behavior, perceptions of healthy body weight, effects of media depictions of women, and societal pressures to be thin. The derived sport team-centered program was prospectively assessed among a second group of female student athletes from 18 high schools, randomized to receive the intervention or the usual care control condition. The Athletes Targeting Healthy Exercise and Nutrition Alternatives (ATHENA) intervention is a scripted, coach-facilitated, peer-led 8-session program, which was incorporated into a team's usual training activities. The ATHENA program significantly altered the targeted risk factors and reduced ongoing and new use of diet pills and body-shaping substances (amphetamines, anabolic steroids, and sport supplements). These findings illustrate the utility of a structured process to define curriculum content, and the program's positive results also confirm the sport team's potential as a vehicle to effectively deter health-harming behaviors."
 

elected by Alexei Koudinov | DJ Global Newsstand | This item permanent URL

Protein chips for high-throughput doping screening in athletes
Du H, Cheng J
National Engineering Research Center for Beijing Biochip Technology, Beijing 102206, PR, China
Expert Rev Proteomics. (Feb 2006) 3(1): 111-4
[PubMed] [Authors contact]

Abstract: "Sport and doping are a contradiction in terms, however, doping abuse in sports has been a serious problem for many years. The systematic screening of every athlete for all prohibited drugs should be an indispensable feature of the Olympic Games. The gas chromatography mass spectrometry method is reserved as a reference method, but is limited by its low throughput. The advent of protein chip technology may enable the screening of all athletes for any illegal use of drugs."

selected by Alexei Koudinov | DJ Global Newsstand | This item permanent URL

Research of stimulants and anabolic steroids in dietary supplements
Baume N, Mahler N, Kamber M, Mangin P, Saugy M.
Laboratoire Suisse d'Analyse du Dopage, Institut Universitaire de Medecine Legale, Departement Universitaire de Medecine et Sante Communautaire, Lausanne, Switzerland
Scand J Med Sci Sports. (Feb 2006) 16(1): 41-8
[PubMed] [Authors contact]

Abstract: "The purpose of this study was to analyze the composition of 103 dietary supplements bought on the internet. The supplements were dispatched in four different categories according to their announced contents [creatine, prohormones, "mental enhancers" and branched chain amino acids (BCAA)]. All the supplements were screened for the presence of stimulants and main anabolic steroids parent compounds. At the same time, the research was focused on the precursors and metabolites of testosterone and nandrolone. The study pointed out three products containing an anabolic steroid, metandienone, in a very high amount. The ingestion of such products induced a high quantity of metandienone metabolites in urines that would be considered as a positive antidoping test. The results have also shown that one creatine product and three "mental enhancers" contained traces of hormones or prohormones not claimed on the labels and 14 prohormone products contained substances other than those indicated by the manufacturer. The oral intake of the creatine product revealed the presence of the two main nandrolone metabolites (19-norandrosterone and 19-noretiocholanolone) in urine."

selected by Alexei Koudinov | DJ Global Newsstand | This item permanent URL

Rhabdomyolysis and hepatotoxicity in a female body builder
Bates DE, Baylis BW.
Department of Pharmacy, Foothills Medical Center, Calgary, AB, Canada
J Trauma. (Feb 2006) 60(2): 407-9; discussion 409
[PubMed] [Authors contact]

Selected by Alexei Koudinov | DJ Global Newsstand | This item permanent URL

Use of acetaminophen in young subelite athletes
Garcin M, Mille-Hamard L, Billat V, Imbenotte M, Humbert L, Lhermitte Z.
Laboratory of Study of Human Motricity EA 3608, Faculty of Sports Sciences, University of Lille 2, Ronchin, France
J Sports Med Phys Fitness. (Dec 2005) 45(4): 604-7
[PubMed] [Authors contact]

Abstract: "AIM: The purpose of the present investigation was to look for other drugs besides doping substances in the urine of subelite athletes submitted to heavy training. METHODS: One hundred and forty-one young subelite athletes (in sprint, cycling, middle distance running and handball) were included in the study, with a control group of 89 high school pupils. Drugs were researched by high performance liquid chromatography using a diode array detector. RESULTS: Among the 212 subjects who agreed to give a urine sample, acetaminophen was detected: 9.5% for the subelite athletes versus 1.3% for the control group with a greater difference for sprint and cycling training (26.7% and 20%, respectively). Acetaminophen is used to treat both acute and chronic pains. It relieves pain by elevating the pain threshold. CONCLUSIONS: The use of acetaminophen has to be taken into account by medical staff, trainers and educators."

selected by Alexei Koudinov | DJ Global Newsstand | This item permanent URL