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Reichel C, Erceg D, Lorenc B, Scheiblhofer V, Farmer L, Zanitzer K, Geisendorfer T, Gmeiner G, Thevis M. Data from a microdosed recombinant human erythropoietin administration study applying the new biotinylated clone AE7A5 antibody and a further optimized sarcosyl polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis protocol. Drug Test Anal 2023; 15:163-172. [PMID: 33450134 DOI: 10.1002/dta.2989] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2020] [Revised: 09/23/2020] [Accepted: 12/01/2020] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
Erythropoietin (EPO) is a hormone, which stimulates the production of red blood cells. Due to its performance-enhancing effect, it is prohibited by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA). In order to reduce the detection window of EPO doping, athletes have been applying low doses of recombinant EPO (e.g., <10 IU/kg body weight, daily or every second day) instead of larger doses twice or more per week (e.g., 30 IU/kg). Microdoses of Retacrit (epoetin zeta), an EPO biosimilar, were administered intravenously and subcutaneously to human males and females. Urine and serum samples were collected and analysed applying the new biotinylated clone AE7A5 EPO antibody and a further optimized sarcosyl polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SAR-PAGE) protocol. With the improved protocol, microdosed Retacrit (7.5 IU/kg body weight [BW]) was detectable for at least 52 h after intravenous administration. Detection windows were approximately the same for serum and urine and doubled after subcutaneous administration (~104 h). Previous studies applying different electrophoretic techniques and the not further optimized SAR-PAGE protocol revealed considerably shorter detection windows for recombinant human erythropoietin (rhEPO) microdoses. Because the new biotinylated antibody performed significantly more sensitive than the nonbiotinylated version, the new protocol will improve the sensitivity and hence detectability of recombinant EPO in doping control.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christian Reichel
- Doping Control Laboratory Seibersdorf, Seibersdorf Labor GmbH, Seibersdorf, Austria.,European Monitoring Center for Emerging Doping Agents, German Sport University Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Damir Erceg
- Clinical Trial Unit, 'Srebrnjak' Children's Hospital, Zagreb, Croatia.,Faculty of Dental Medicine and Health, University of Osijek 'Josip Juraj Strossmayer', Osijek, Croatia.,School of Medicine, University of Osijek 'Josip Juraj Strossmayer', Osijek, Croatia.,Personalized Medicine, 'St. Catherine' Hospital, Zagreb, Croatia.,Nursing Department, Catholic University of Croatia, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Barbara Lorenc
- Doping Control Laboratory Seibersdorf, Seibersdorf Labor GmbH, Seibersdorf, Austria
| | | | - Letizia Farmer
- Doping Control Laboratory Seibersdorf, Seibersdorf Labor GmbH, Seibersdorf, Austria
| | - Katharina Zanitzer
- Doping Control Laboratory Seibersdorf, Seibersdorf Labor GmbH, Seibersdorf, Austria
| | - Thomas Geisendorfer
- Doping Control Laboratory Seibersdorf, Seibersdorf Labor GmbH, Seibersdorf, Austria
| | - Günter Gmeiner
- Doping Control Laboratory Seibersdorf, Seibersdorf Labor GmbH, Seibersdorf, Austria
| | - Mario Thevis
- Institute of Biochemistry/Center for Preventive Doping Research, German Sport University Cologne, Cologne, Germany.,European Monitoring Center for Emerging Doping Agents, German Sport University Cologne, Cologne, Germany
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Saugy JJ, Schmoutz T, Botrè F. Altitude and Erythropoietin: Comparative Evaluation of Their Impact on Key Parameters of the Athlete Biological Passport: A Review. Front Sports Act Living 2022; 4:864532. [PMID: 35847455 PMCID: PMC9282833 DOI: 10.3389/fspor.2022.864532] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2022] [Accepted: 05/30/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The hematological module of the Athlete's Biological Passport (ABP) identifies doping methods and/or substances used to increase the blood's capacity to transport or deliver oxygen to the tissues. Recombinant human erythropoietin (rhEPOs) are doping substances known to boost the production of red blood cells and might have an effect on the blood biomarkers of the ABP. However, hypoxic exposure influences these biomarkers similarly to rhEPOs. This analogous impact complicates the ABP profiles' interpretation by antidoping experts. The present study aimed to collect and identify, through a literature search, the physiological effects on ABP blood biomarkers induced by these external factors. A total of 43 studies were selected for this review. A positive correlation (R2 = 0.605, r = 0.778, p < 0.001) was identified between the hypoxic dose and the increase in hemoglobin concentration (HGB) percentage. In addition, the change in the reticulocyte percentage (RET%) has been identified as one of the most sensitive parameters to rhEPO use. The mean effects of rhEPO on blood parameters were greater than those induced by hypoxic exposure (1.7 times higher for HGB and RET% and 4 times higher for hemoglobin mass). However, rhEPO micro-doses have shown effects that are hardly distinguishable from those identified after hypoxic exposure. The results of the literature search allowed to identify temporal and quantitative evolution of blood parameters in connection with different hypoxic exposure doses, as well as different rhEPOs doses. This might be considered to provide justified and well-documented interpretations of physiological changes in blood parameters of the Athlete Biological Passport.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonas J. Saugy
- Institute of Sport Sciences, University of Lausanne (ISSUL), Lausanne, Switzerland
- Research and Expertise in anti-Doping Sciences (REDs), University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
- *Correspondence: Jonas J. Saugy
| | - Tania Schmoutz
- Institute of Sport Sciences, University of Lausanne (ISSUL), Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Francesco Botrè
- Institute of Sport Sciences, University of Lausanne (ISSUL), Lausanne, Switzerland
- Research and Expertise in anti-Doping Sciences (REDs), University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
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Thevis M, Kuuranne T, Geyer H. Annual banned-substance review: Analytical approaches in human sports drug testing 2019/2020. Drug Test Anal 2020; 13:8-35. [PMID: 33185038 DOI: 10.1002/dta.2969] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2020] [Accepted: 11/08/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Analytical chemistry-based research in sports drug testing has been a dynamic endeavor for several decades, with technology-driven innovations continuously contributing to significant improvements in various regards including analytical sensitivity, comprehensiveness of target analytes, differentiation of natural/endogenous substances from structurally identical but synthetically derived compounds, assessment of alternative matrices for doping control purposes, and so forth. The resulting breadth of tools being investigated and developed by anti-doping researchers has allowed to substantially improve anti-doping programs and data interpretation in general. Additionally, these outcomes have been an extremely valuable pledge for routine doping controls during the unprecedented global health crisis that severely affected established sports drug testing strategies. In this edition of the annual banned-substance review, literature on recent developments in anti-doping published between October 2019 and September 2020 is summarized and discussed, particularly focusing on human doping controls and potential applications of new testing strategies to substances and methods of doping specified the World Anti-Doping Agency's 2020 Prohibited List.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mario Thevis
- Center for Preventive Doping Research - Institute of Biochemistry, German Sport University Cologne, Cologne, Germany.,European Monitoring Center for Emerging Doping Agents, Cologne, Germany
| | - Tiia Kuuranne
- Swiss Laboratory for Doping Analyses, University Center of Legal Medicine, Genève and Lausanne, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Vaudois and University of Lausanne, Epalinges, Switzerland
| | - Hans Geyer
- Center for Preventive Doping Research - Institute of Biochemistry, German Sport University Cologne, Cologne, Germany.,European Monitoring Center for Emerging Doping Agents, Cologne, Germany
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