1
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Loria F, Grabherr S, Kuuranne T, Leuenberger N. Use of RNA biomarkers in the antidoping field. Bioanalysis 2024; 16:475-484. [PMID: 38497758 PMCID: PMC11216508 DOI: 10.4155/bio-2023-0251] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2023] [Accepted: 02/21/2024] [Indexed: 03/19/2024] Open
Abstract
There is growing evidence that various RNA molecules can serve as biomarkers for clinical diagnoses. Over the last decade, the high specificities and sensitivities of RNA biomarkers have led to proposals that they could be used to detect prohibited substances and practices in sports. mRNAs and circulating miRNAs have the potential to improve the detection of doping and expand the performance of the Athlete Biological Passport. This review provides a summary of the use of RNA biomarkers to detect human and equine doping practices, including a discussion of the use of dried blood spots as a stable matrix that supports and improves the general process of RNA biomarker detection. The advantages of RNA biomarkers over protein biomarkers are also discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesco Loria
- Swiss Laboratory for Doping Analyses, University Center of Legal Medicine, Lausanne & Geneva, Lausanne University Hospital & University of Lausanne, 1000, Switzerland
| | - Silke Grabherr
- University Center of Legal Medicine, Lausanne & Geneva, Lausanne University Hospital & University of Lausanne, 1000, Switzerland
| | - Tiia Kuuranne
- Swiss Laboratory for Doping Analyses, University Center of Legal Medicine, Lausanne & Geneva, Lausanne University Hospital & University of Lausanne, 1000, Switzerland
| | - Nicolas Leuenberger
- Swiss Laboratory for Doping Analyses, University Center of Legal Medicine, Lausanne & Geneva, Lausanne University Hospital & University of Lausanne, 1000, Switzerland
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2
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Loria F, Breenfeldt Andersen A, Bejder J, Bonne T, Grabherr S, Kuuranne T, Leuenberger N, Baastrup Nordsborg N. mRNA biomarkers sensitive and specific to micro-dose erythropoietin treatment at sea level and altitude. Drug Test Anal 2024. [PMID: 38382494 DOI: 10.1002/dta.3665] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2023] [Revised: 01/31/2024] [Accepted: 02/02/2024] [Indexed: 02/23/2024]
Abstract
Recombinant human erythropoietin (rhEPO) is prohibited by the World Anti-Doping Agency. rhEPO abuse can be indirectly detected via the athlete biological passport (ABP). However, altitude exposure challenges interpretation of the ABP. This study investigated whether 5'-aminolevulinate synthase 2 (ALAS2) and carbonic anhydrase 1 (CA1) in capillary dried blood spots (DBSs) are sensitive and specific markers of rhEPO treatment at altitude. ALAS2 and CA1 expression was monitored in DBS collected weekly before, during, and after a 3-week period at sea level or altitude. Participants were randomly assigned to receive 20 IU kg bw-1 epoetin alpha (rhEPO) or placebo injections every second day for 3 weeks while staying at sea level (rhEPO, n = 25; placebo, n = 9) or altitude (rhEPO, n = 12; placebo, n = 27). ALAS2 and CA1 expression increased up to 300% and 200%, respectively, upon rhEPO treatment at sea-level and altitude (P-values <0.05). When a blinded investigator interpreted the results, ALAS2 and CA1 expression had a sensitivity of 92%. Altitude did not confound the interpretation. Altitude affected ALAS2 and CA1 expression less than actual ABP markers when compared between sea level and altitude results. An individual athlete passport-like approach simulation confirmed the biomarker potential of ALAS2 and CA1. ALAS2 and CA1 were sensitive and specific biomarkers of micro-dose rhEPO treatment at sea level and altitude. Altitude seemed less a confounding factor for these biomarkers, especially when they are combined. Thus, micro-dose rhEPO injections can be detected in a longitudinal blinded setting using mRNA biomarkers in DBS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesco Loria
- Swiss Laboratory for Doping Analyses, University Center of Legal Medicine, Lausanne & Geneva, Lausanne University Hospital & University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Andreas Breenfeldt Andersen
- Department of Public Health, Research Unit for Exercise Biology, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
- Department of Nutrition, Exercise and Sports (NEXS), University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Jacob Bejder
- Department of Nutrition, Exercise and Sports (NEXS), University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Thomas Bonne
- Department of Nutrition, Exercise and Sports (NEXS), University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Silke Grabherr
- University Center of Legal Medicine, Lausanne & Geneva, Lausanne University Hospital & University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Tiia Kuuranne
- Swiss Laboratory for Doping Analyses, University Center of Legal Medicine, Lausanne & Geneva, Lausanne University Hospital & University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Nicolas Leuenberger
- Swiss Laboratory for Doping Analyses, University Center of Legal Medicine, Lausanne & Geneva, Lausanne University Hospital & University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
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3
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Krumm B, Saugy JJ, Botrè F, Donati F, Faiss R. Indirect biomarkers of blood doping: A systematic review. Drug Test Anal 2024; 16:49-64. [PMID: 37160638 DOI: 10.1002/dta.3514] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2023] [Revised: 04/13/2023] [Accepted: 05/02/2023] [Indexed: 05/11/2023]
Abstract
The detection of blood doping represents a current major issue in sports and an ongoing challenge for antidoping research. Initially focusing on direct detection methods to identify a banned substance or its metabolites, the antidoping effort has been progressively complemented by indirect approaches. The longitudinal and individual monitoring of specific biomarkers aims to identify nonphysiological variations that may be related to doping practices. From this perspective, the identification of markers sensitive to erythropoiesis alteration is key in the screening of blood doping. The current Athlete Biological Passport implemented since 2009 is composed of 14 variables (including two primary markers, i.e., hemoglobin concentration and OFF score) for the hematological module to be used for indirect detection of blood doping. Nevertheless, research has continually proposed and investigated new markers sensitive to an alteration of the erythropoietic cascade and specific to blood doping. If multiple early markers have been identified (at the transcriptomic level) or developed directly in a diagnostics' kit (at a proteomic level), other target variables at the end of the erythropoietic process (linked with the red blood cell functions) may strengthen the hematological module in the future. Therefore, this review aims to provide a global systematic overview of the biomarkers considered to date in the indirect investigation of blood doping.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bastien Krumm
- REDs, Research & Expertise in AntiDoping Sciences, Institute of Sport Sciences, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Jonas J Saugy
- REDs, Research & Expertise in AntiDoping Sciences, Institute of Sport Sciences, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Francesco Botrè
- REDs, Research & Expertise in AntiDoping Sciences, Institute of Sport Sciences, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
- Laboratorio Antidoping, Federazione Medico Sportiva Italiana, Rome, Italy
| | - Francesco Donati
- Laboratorio Antidoping, Federazione Medico Sportiva Italiana, Rome, Italy
| | - Raphael Faiss
- REDs, Research & Expertise in AntiDoping Sciences, Institute of Sport Sciences, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
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4
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Morgunova A, Ibrahim P, Chen GG, Coury SM, Turecki G, Meaney MJ, Gifuni A, Gotlib IH, Nagy C, Ho TC, Flores C. Preparation and processing of dried blood spots for microRNA sequencing. Biol Methods Protoc 2023; 8:bpad020. [PMID: 37901452 PMCID: PMC10603595 DOI: 10.1093/biomethods/bpad020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2023] [Revised: 09/07/2023] [Accepted: 09/19/2023] [Indexed: 10/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Dried blood spots (DBS) are biological samples commonly collected from newborns and in geographic areas distanced from laboratory settings for the purposes of disease testing and identification. MicroRNAs (miRNAs)-small non-coding RNAs that regulate gene activity at the post-transcriptional level-are emerging as critical markers and mediators of disease, including cancer, infectious diseases, and mental disorders. This protocol describes optimized procedural steps for utilizing DBS as a reliable source of biological material for obtaining peripheral miRNA expression profiles. We outline key practices, such as the method of DBS rehydration that maximizes RNA extraction yield, and the use of degenerate oligonucleotide adapters to mitigate ligase-dependent biases that are associated with small RNA sequencing. The standardization of miRNA readout from DBS offers numerous benefits: cost-effectiveness in sample collection and processing, enhanced reliability and consistency of miRNA profiling, and minimal invasiveness that facilitates repeated testing and retention of participants. The use of DBS-based miRNA sequencing is a promising method to investigate disease mechanisms and to advance personalized medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alice Morgunova
- Integrated Program in Neuroscience, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec H3A 1A1, Canada
- Douglas Mental Health University Institute, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec H3A 0G4, Canada
| | - Pascal Ibrahim
- Integrated Program in Neuroscience, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec H3A 1A1, Canada
- Douglas Mental Health University Institute, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec H3A 0G4, Canada
- McGill Group for Suicide Studies, Douglas Mental Health University Institute, Verdun, Quebec H4H 1R3, Canada
| | - Gary Gang Chen
- Douglas Mental Health University Institute, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec H3A 0G4, Canada
- McGill Group for Suicide Studies, Douglas Mental Health University Institute, Verdun, Quebec H4H 1R3, Canada
| | - Saché M Coury
- Department of Psychology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, United States
- Department of Psychology, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90095, United States
| | - Gustavo Turecki
- Douglas Mental Health University Institute, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec H3A 0G4, Canada
- McGill Group for Suicide Studies, Douglas Mental Health University Institute, Verdun, Quebec H4H 1R3, Canada
- Department of Psychiatry, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec H3A 0G4, Canada
| | - Michael J Meaney
- Douglas Mental Health University Institute, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec H3A 0G4, Canada
- Department of Psychiatry, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec H3A 0G4, Canada
- Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, Faculty of Medicine, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec H3A 1A1, Canada
- Ludmer Centre for Neuroinformatics and Mental Health, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec H3A 2B4, Canada
- Singapore Institute for Clinical Sciences, Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), Brenner Centre for Molecular Medicine, Singapore City 138632, Singapore
| | - Anthony Gifuni
- Douglas Mental Health University Institute, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec H3A 0G4, Canada
- Department of Psychiatry, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec H3A 0G4, Canada
| | - Ian H Gotlib
- Department of Psychology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, United States
| | - Corina Nagy
- Douglas Mental Health University Institute, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec H3A 0G4, Canada
- McGill Group for Suicide Studies, Douglas Mental Health University Institute, Verdun, Quebec H4H 1R3, Canada
- Department of Psychiatry, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec H3A 0G4, Canada
| | - Tiffany C Ho
- Department of Psychology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, United States
- Department of Psychology, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90095, United States
| | - Cecilia Flores
- Douglas Mental Health University Institute, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec H3A 0G4, Canada
- Department of Psychiatry, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec H3A 0G4, Canada
- Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, Faculty of Medicine, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec H3A 1A1, Canada
- Ludmer Centre for Neuroinformatics and Mental Health, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec H3A 2B4, Canada
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5
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Thevis M, Walpurgis K, Thomas A. DropWise: current role and future perspectives of dried blood spots (DBS), blood microsampling, and their analysis in sports drug testing. Crit Rev Clin Lab Sci 2023; 60:41-62. [PMID: 35938300 DOI: 10.1080/10408363.2022.2103085] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
For decades, blood testing has been an integral part of routine doping controls. The breadth of information contained in blood samples has become considerably more accessible for anti-doping purposes over the last 10 years through technological advancements regarding analytical instrumentation as well as enhanced sample collection systems. Particularly, microsampling of whole blood and serum, for instance as dried blood spots (DBS), has opened new avenues in sports drug testing and substantially increased the availability and cost-effectiveness of doping control specimens. Thus, microvolume blood specimens possess the potential to improve monitoring of blood hormone and drug levels, support evaluation of circulating drug concentrations in competition, and enhance the stability of labile markers and target analytes in blood passport analyses as well as peptide hormone and steroid ester detection. Further, the availability of the fraction of lysed erythrocytes for anti-doping purposes warrants additional investigation, considering the sequestering capability of red blood cells (RBCs) for certain substances, as a complementary approach in support of the clean sport.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Thevis
- Institute of Biochemistry/Center for Preventive Doping Research, German Sport University Cologne, Cologne, Germany.,European Monitoring Center for Emerging Doping Agents (EuMoCEDA), Bonn, Germany
| | - Katja Walpurgis
- Institute of Biochemistry/Center for Preventive Doping Research, German Sport University Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - A Thomas
- Institute of Biochemistry/Center for Preventive Doping Research, German Sport University Cologne, Cologne, Germany
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6
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Solheim SA, Thomas A, Ringsted TK, Thevis M, Breenfeldt Andersen A, Holm-Sørensen H, Nordsborg NB, Mørkeberg J. Analysis of dried blood spots is a feasible alternative for detecting ephedrine in doping control. Drug Test Anal 2022; 14:1685-1695. [PMID: 35738840 DOI: 10.1002/dta.3338] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2022] [Revised: 06/13/2022] [Accepted: 06/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
Dried blood spot (DBS) testing allows fast, easy, and minimally invasive collection of microvolumes of blood. In an anti-doping context, DBS testing has particular relevance for substances prohibited in-competition only such as ephedrine, which is currently detected by urine analysis, since DBS can add information about the blood drug concentrations during the in-competition period. Several collection methods and devices exist for DBS collection from different anatomical sites. Thus, agreements between concentrations of target analytes in DBS samples from different sampling sites, along with between DBS and those in conventional venous plasma samples, need to be evaluated. Herein, we collected matched upper-arm DBS, fingerprick DBS and venous plasma samples from 8 healthy, male subjects in an 8-hour period following oral administrations of 20 mg ('low dose') and 60 mg ('high dose') of ephedrine. We show that the use of alternative sampling sites and matrices are feasible possibilities for ephedrine analysis in doping control. We observed very good agreement between collection sites and that specificity and sensitivity can be upheld despite use of an alternative collection site. However, potential concentration differences between DBS and venous plasma should be considered, and distinct threshold might be necessary if implementing both blood matrices in ephedrine analysis.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Andreas Thomas
- Institute of Biochemistry/Center for Preventive Doping Research, German Sport University Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | | | - Mario Thevis
- Institute of Biochemistry/Center for Preventive Doping Research, German Sport University Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Andreas Breenfeldt Andersen
- Science and Research, Anti Doping Denmark, Brøndby, Denmark
- Department of Nutrition, Exercise and Sports, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Henrik Holm-Sørensen
- Department of Nutrition, Exercise and Sports, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Nikolai B Nordsborg
- Department of Nutrition, Exercise and Sports, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
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7
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Monitoring of hemoglobin and erythropoiesis-related mRNA with dried blood spots in athletes and patients. Bioanalysis 2022; 14:241-251. [PMID: 35172618 DOI: 10.4155/bio-2021-0252] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Aim: We assessed the feasibility of using hematological parameters (such as hemoglobin and reticulocyte mRNA) in dried blood spot (DBS) samples to test athletes for doping and to improve patient care. Methods: Hemoglobin and erythropoiesis-related mRNAs were measured in venous blood and DBSs from both healthy athletes and hemodialysis patients. Results: We accurately measured hemoglobin changes over time in both venous blood and DBS samples. Combining hemoglobin and mRNA analyses, we detected erythropoietin injection in DBSs more sensitively and with higher efficiency by using the DBS OFF-score than by using the athlete biological passport OFF-score. Conclusion: DBS-based measurements are practical for calculating hemoglobin levels and athlete biological passport OFF-scores. This approach may help detect blood doping and help predict patient response to EPO.
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8
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Lima G, Kolliari-Turner A, Malinsky FR, Guppy FM, Martin RP, Wang G, Voss SC, Georgakopoulos C, Borrione P, Pigozzi F, Pitsiladis Y. Integrating Whole Blood Transcriptomic Collection Procedures Into the Current Anti-Doping Testing System, Including Long-Term Storage and Re-Testing of Anti-Doping Samples. Front Mol Biosci 2021; 8:728273. [PMID: 34765642 PMCID: PMC8576497 DOI: 10.3389/fmolb.2021.728273] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2021] [Accepted: 08/31/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction: Recombinant human erythropoietin (rHuEPO) administration studies involving transcriptomic approaches have demonstrated a gene expression signature that could aid blood doping detection. However, current anti-doping testing does not involve collecting whole blood into tubes with RNA preservative. This study investigated if whole blood in long-term storage and whole blood left over from standard hematological testing in short-term storage could be used for transcriptomic analysis despite lacking RNA preservation. Methods: Whole blood samples were collected from twelve and fourteen healthy nonathletic males, for long-term and short-term storage experiments. Long-term storage involved whole blood collected into Tempus™ tubes and K2EDTA tubes and subjected to long-term (i.e., ‒80°C) storage and RNA extracted. Short-term storage involved whole blood collected into K2EDTA tubes and stored at 4°C for 6‒48 h and then incubated at room temperature for 1 and 2 h prior to addition of RNA preservative. RNA quantity, purity, and integrity were analyzed in addition to RNA-Seq using the MGI DNBSEQ-G400 on RNA from both the short- and long-term storage studies. Genes presenting a fold change (FC) of >1.1 or < ‒1.1 with p ≤ 0.05 for each comparison were considered differentially expressed. Microarray analysis using the Affymetrix GeneChip® Human Transcriptome 2.0 Array was additionally conducted on RNA from the short-term study with a false discovery ratio (FDR) of ≤0.05 and an FC of >1.1 or < ‒1.1 applied to identify differentially expressed genes. Results: RNA quantity, purity, and integrity from whole blood subjected to short- and long-term storage were sufficient for gene expression analysis. Long-term storage: when comparing blood tubes with and without RNA preservation 4,058 transcripts (6% of coding and non-coding transcripts) were differentially expressed using microarray and 658 genes (3.4% of mapped genes) were differentially expressed using RNA-Seq. Short-term storage: mean RNA integrity and yield were not significantly different at any of the time points. RNA-Seq analysis revealed a very small number of differentially expressed genes (70 or 1.37% of mapped genes) when comparing samples stored between 6 and 48 h without RNA preservative. None of the genes previously identified in rHuEPO administration studies were differently expressed in either long- or short-term storage experiments. Conclusion: RNA quantity, purity, and integrity were not significantly compromised from short- or long-term storage in blood storage tubes lacking RNA stabilization, indicating that transcriptomic analysis could be conducted using anti-doping samples collected or biobanked without RNA preservation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giscard Lima
- Department of Movement, Human and Health Sciences, University of Rome "Foro Italico", Rome, Italy.,School of Sport and Health Sciences, University of Brighton, Eastbourne, United Kingdom.,Centre for Stress and Age Related Disease, University of Brighton, Brighton, United Kingdom
| | - Alexander Kolliari-Turner
- School of Sport and Health Sciences, University of Brighton, Eastbourne, United Kingdom.,Centre for Stress and Age Related Disease, University of Brighton, Brighton, United Kingdom
| | | | - Fergus M Guppy
- Centre for Stress and Age Related Disease, University of Brighton, Brighton, United Kingdom.,School of Applied Sciences, University of Brighton, Brighton, United Kingdom
| | - Renan Paulo Martin
- Department of Biophysics, Federal University of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil.,McKusick-Nathans Department of Genetic Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Guan Wang
- School of Sport and Health Sciences, University of Brighton, Eastbourne, United Kingdom.,Sport and Exercise Science and Sports Medicine Research and Enterprise Group, University of Brighton, Brighton, United Kingdom
| | | | | | - Paolo Borrione
- Department of Movement, Human and Health Sciences, University of Rome "Foro Italico", Rome, Italy.,NADO Italia, National Antidoping Organization, Rome, Italy
| | - Fabio Pigozzi
- Department of Movement, Human and Health Sciences, University of Rome "Foro Italico", Rome, Italy.,NADO Italia, National Antidoping Organization, Rome, Italy.,International Federation of Sports Medicine (FIMS), Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Yannis Pitsiladis
- Department of Movement, Human and Health Sciences, University of Rome "Foro Italico", Rome, Italy.,Centre for Stress and Age Related Disease, University of Brighton, Brighton, United Kingdom.,International Federation of Sports Medicine (FIMS), Lausanne, Switzerland
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9
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Saad K, Salama S, Horvatovich P, Al Maadheed M, Georgakopoulos C. Olympic anti-doping laboratory: the analytical technological road from 2016 Rio De Janeiro to 2021 Tokyo. Bioanalysis 2021; 13:1511-1527. [PMID: 34617444 DOI: 10.4155/bio-2021-0157] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2021] [Accepted: 09/03/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The summer Olympic Games is the major mega sports event since the first modern era Olympiad, held in Athens, Greece in 1896. International Olympic Committee (IOC) has the responsibility of the organization of the summer and winter Games ensuring the broadcast in all corners of earth. The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) is the responsible organization of the fight against doping in sports. IOC and WADA support the event's country WADA Accredited Laboratory to incorporate the maximum of the new analytical technologies to become applicable during the event's antidoping testing. The current study reviewed the last 5 years progresses of the antidoping system with emphasis on the laboratory field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Khadija Saad
- Anti-Doping Lab Qatar (ADLQ), Doha, 27775, Qatar
| | - Sofia Salama
- Anti-Doping Lab Qatar (ADLQ), Doha, 27775, Qatar
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10
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Rocca A, Martin L, Kuuranne T, Ericsson M, Marchand A, Leuenberger N. A fast screening method for the detection of CERA in dried blood spots. Drug Test Anal 2021; 14:820-825. [PMID: 34380180 PMCID: PMC9540874 DOI: 10.1002/dta.3142] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2021] [Revised: 08/02/2021] [Accepted: 08/02/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Continuous erythropoietin receptor activator (CERA) is a third‐generation erythropoiesis‐stimulating agent that was developed for the treatment of anemia. However, misuse of CERA for doping in endurance sports has been reported. Previous studies have shown blood as the matrix of choice for the detection of CERA, due to its high molecular weight. The use of dried blood spots (DBSs) for anti‐doping purposes constitutes a complementary approach to the standard urine and venous blood matrices and could facilitate sample collection and increase the number of blood samples available for analysis due to reduced costs of sample collection and transport. Here, we investigated whether CERA could be indirectly detected in extracts of single DBSs using an erythropoietin‐specific immunoassay that is capable of providing results within approximately 2 h. Reconstituted DBS samples were prepared from mixtures of red blood cell pellets and serum samples. The samples were collected in a previous clinical study in which six healthy volunteers were injected with a single, 200 μg dose of CERA. Using a commercially available ELISA kit, CERA was detected in the DBSs with a detection window of up to 20 days post‐injection. Furthermore, in order to demonstrate the fitness‐for‐purpose, three authentic doping control serum samples, which were identified as containing CERA, were analyzed by the presented methodological approach on DBS. The testing procedure described here could be used as a fast and cost‐effective method for the detection of CERA abuse in sport.
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Affiliation(s)
- Angela Rocca
- Swiss Laboratory for Doping Analyses, University Center of Legal Medicine, Lausanne & Geneva, Lausanne University Hospital & University of Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Laurent Martin
- Analysis Department, Agence Française de Lutte contre le Dopage (AFLD), Châtenay-Malabry, France
| | - Tiia Kuuranne
- Swiss Laboratory for Doping Analyses, University Center of Legal Medicine, Lausanne & Geneva, Lausanne University Hospital & University of Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Magnus Ericsson
- Analysis Department, Agence Française de Lutte contre le Dopage (AFLD), Châtenay-Malabry, France
| | - Alexandre Marchand
- Analysis Department, Agence Française de Lutte contre le Dopage (AFLD), Châtenay-Malabry, France
| | - Nicolas Leuenberger
- Swiss Laboratory for Doping Analyses, University Center of Legal Medicine, Lausanne & Geneva, Lausanne University Hospital & University of Lausanne, Switzerland
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11
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Salamin O, Nicoli R, Xu C, Boccard J, Rudaz S, Pitteloud N, Saugy M, Kuuranne T. Steroid profiling by UHPLC-MS/MS in dried blood spots collected from healthy women with and without testosterone gel administration. J Pharm Biomed Anal 2021; 204:114280. [PMID: 34340018 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpba.2021.114280] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2021] [Revised: 06/24/2021] [Accepted: 07/21/2021] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
The quantification of a large panel of endogenous steroids in serum by LC-MS/MS represents a powerful clinical tool for the screening or diagnosis of diverse endocrine disorders. This approach has also demonstrated excellent sensitivity for the detection of testosterone misuse in the anti-doping field, especially in female athlete population. In both situations, the use of dried blood spots (DBS) could provide a viable alternative to invasive venous blood collection. Here, the evaluation of DBS sampling for the quantification of a panel of endogenous steroids using UHPLC-MS/MS is described. The UHPLC-MS/MS method was validated for quantitative analysis of eleven free and eight conjugated steroids and was then used for the analysis of DBS samples collected in 14 healthy women during a normal menstrual cycle (control phase) followed by a 28-days testosterone gel treatment (treatment phase). Results were compared with those obtained from serum matrix. Satisfactory performance was obtained for all compounds in terms of selectivity, linearity, accuracy, precision, combined uncertainty, stability as well as extraction recovery and matrix effects. In control phase, high correlation was observed between DBS and serum concentrations for most compounds. In treatment phase, higher testosterone concentrations were observed in capillary than in venous DBS, suggesting a possible interference resulting from testosterone contamination on finger(s) used for gel application. Steroid profiling in capillary DBS represents a simple and efficient strategy for monitoring endogenous steroid concentrations and their fluctuation in clinical context of steroid-related disorders, or for the detection of testosterone abuse in anti-doping.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olivier Salamin
- Center of Research and Expertise in Anti-Doping Sciences - REDs, Institute of Sport Sciences, University of Lausanne, 1015, Lausanne, Switzerland; Swiss Laboratory for Doping Analyses, University Center of Legal Medicine, Lausanne and Geneva, Lausanne University Hospital and University of Lausanne, Switzerland.
| | - Raul Nicoli
- Swiss Laboratory for Doping Analyses, University Center of Legal Medicine, Lausanne and Geneva, Lausanne University Hospital and University of Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Cheng Xu
- Service of Endocrinology, Diabetology, and Metabolism, Lausanne University Hospital, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Julien Boccard
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Geneva, University Medical Centre, 1 Rue Michel-Servet, 1211, Geneva 4, Switzerland; Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences of Western Switzerland (ISPSO), University of Geneva, Switzerland; Division of Biomedical and Metabolomic Analyses, Swiss Centre for Applied Human Toxicology (SCAHT), Basel, Switzerland
| | - Serge Rudaz
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Geneva, University Medical Centre, 1 Rue Michel-Servet, 1211, Geneva 4, Switzerland; Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences of Western Switzerland (ISPSO), University of Geneva, Switzerland; Division of Biomedical and Metabolomic Analyses, Swiss Centre for Applied Human Toxicology (SCAHT), Basel, Switzerland
| | - Nelly Pitteloud
- Service of Endocrinology, Diabetology, and Metabolism, Lausanne University Hospital, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Martial Saugy
- Center of Research and Expertise in Anti-Doping Sciences - REDs, Institute of Sport Sciences, University of Lausanne, 1015, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Tiia Kuuranne
- Swiss Laboratory for Doping Analyses, University Center of Legal Medicine, Lausanne and Geneva, Lausanne University Hospital and University of Lausanne, Switzerland
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12
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Lima G, Muniz-Pardos B, Kolliari-Turner A, Hamilton B, Guppy FM, Grivas G, Bosch A, Borrione P, DI Gianfrancesco A, Fossati C, Pigozzi F, Pitsiladis Y. Anti-doping and other sport integrity challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic. J Sports Med Phys Fitness 2021; 61:1173-1183. [PMID: 34256541 DOI: 10.23736/s0022-4707.21.12777-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic has had an unprecedent impact on the world of sport and society at large. Many of the challenges with respect to integrity previously facing competitive sport have been accentuated further during the pandemic. Threats to the integrity of sporting competition include traditional doping, issues of technological fairness, and integration of transgender and intersex athletes in elite sport. The enforced lull in competitive sport provides an unprecedented opportunity for stakeholders in sport to focus on unresolved integrity issues and develop and implement long-lasting solutions. There needs to be a concerted effort to focus on the many technological innovations accelerated by and perfected during COVID-19 that have enabled us to work from home, such as teaching students on-line, applications for medical advice, prescriptions and referrals, and treating patients in hospitals/care homes via video links and use these developments and innovations to enhance sport integrity and anti-doping procedures. Positive sports integrity actions will require a considered application of all such technology, as well as the inclusion of "omics" technology, big data, bioinformatics and machine learning/artificial intelligence approaches to modernize sport. Applications include protecting the health of athletes, considered non-discriminative integration of athletes into elite sport, intelligent remote testing to improve the frequency of anti-doping tests, detection windows, and the potential combination with omics technology to improve the tests' sensitivity and specificity in order to protect clean athletes and deter doping practices.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giscard Lima
- Foro Italico University of Rome, Rome, Italy.,Centre for Stress and Age Related Disease, University of Brighton, Brighton, UK.,School of Sport and Health Sciences, University of Brighton, Eastbourne, UK
| | - Borja Muniz-Pardos
- GENUD Research Group, Faculty of Health and Sport Sciences, University of Zaragoza, Zaragoza, Spain
| | | | - Blair Hamilton
- Centre for Stress and Age Related Disease, University of Brighton, Brighton, UK.,School of Sport and Health Sciences, University of Brighton, Eastbourne, UK.,School of Pharmacy and Biomolecular Sciences, University of Brighton, Brighton, UK
| | - Fergus M Guppy
- Centre for Stress and Age Related Disease, University of Brighton, Brighton, UK.,School of Pharmacy and Biomolecular Sciences, University of Brighton, Brighton, UK
| | - Gerasimos Grivas
- Division of Humanities and Political Sciences, Department of Physical Education and Sports, Hellenic Naval Academy, Piraeus, Greece
| | - Andrew Bosch
- Division of Exercise Science and Sports Medicine, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Paolo Borrione
- Foro Italico University of Rome, Rome, Italy.,NADO Italia, National Antidoping Organization, Rome, Italy
| | - Alessia DI Gianfrancesco
- Foro Italico University of Rome, Rome, Italy.,NADO Italia, National Antidoping Organization, Rome, Italy
| | - Chiara Fossati
- Foro Italico University of Rome, Rome, Italy.,NADO Italia, National Antidoping Organization, Rome, Italy
| | - Fabio Pigozzi
- Foro Italico University of Rome, Rome, Italy - .,Division of Exercise Science and Sports Medicine, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa.,International Federation of Sports Medicine (FIMS), Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Yannis Pitsiladis
- Foro Italico University of Rome, Rome, Italy.,Centre for Stress and Age Related Disease, University of Brighton, Brighton, UK.,International Federation of Sports Medicine (FIMS), Lausanne, Switzerland
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13
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Loria F, Cox HD, Voss SC, Rocca A, Miller GD, Townsend N, Georgakopoulos C, Eichner D, Kuuranne T, Leuenberger N. The use of RNA-based 5'-aminolevulinate synthase 2 biomarkers in dried blood spots to detect recombinant human erythropoietin microdoses. Drug Test Anal 2021; 14:826-832. [PMID: 34216436 PMCID: PMC9545850 DOI: 10.1002/dta.3123] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2021] [Revised: 06/25/2021] [Accepted: 06/30/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
The hematological module of the Athlete Biological Passport (ABP) is used for indirect detection of blood manipulations; however, the use of this method to detect doping, such as with microdoses of recombinant human erythropoietin (rhEPO), is problematic. For this reason, the sensitivity of ABP must be enhanced by implementing novel biomarkers. Here, we show that 5'-aminolevulinate synthase 2 (ALAS2) mRNAs are useful transcriptomic biomarkers to improve the indirect detection of rhEPO microdosing. Moreover, the sensitivity was sufficient to distinguish rhEPO administration from exposure to hypoxic conditions. Levels of mRNAs encoding carbonate anhydrase 1 (CA1) and solute carrier family 4 member 1 (SLC4A1) RNA, as well as the linear (L) and linear + circular (LC) forms of ALAS2 mRNA, were monitored for 16 days after rhEPO microdosing and during exposure to hypoxic conditions. ALAS2 mRNAs increased by 300% compared with the baseline values after rhEPO microdosing. Moreover, ALAS2 mRNAs were not significantly increased under hypoxic conditions. By contrast, CA1 mRNA was increased after both rhEPO microdosing and hypoxia, whereas SLC4A1 mRNA did not significantly increase under either condition. Furthermore, the analyses described here were performed using dried blood spots (DBSs), which provide advantages in terms of the sample collection, transport, and storage logistics. This study demonstrates that ALAS2 mRNA levels are sensitive and specific transcriptomic biomarkers for the detection of rhEPO microdosing using the hematological module of the ABP, and this method is compatible with the use of DBSs for anti-doping analyses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesco Loria
- Swiss Laboratory for Doping Analyses, University Center of Legal Medicine, Lausanne and Geneva, Lausanne University Hospital and University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Holly D Cox
- Sports Medicine Research and Testing Laboratory, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA
| | | | - Angela Rocca
- Swiss Laboratory for Doping Analyses, University Center of Legal Medicine, Lausanne and Geneva, Lausanne University Hospital and University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Geoffrey D Miller
- Sports Medicine Research and Testing Laboratory, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA
| | - Nathan Townsend
- Athlete Health and Performance Centre, Aspetar Orthopaedic and Sports Medicine Hospital Doha, Doha, Qatar
| | | | - Daniel Eichner
- Sports Medicine Research and Testing Laboratory, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA
| | - Tiia Kuuranne
- Swiss Laboratory for Doping Analyses, University Center of Legal Medicine, Lausanne and Geneva, Lausanne University Hospital and University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Nicolas Leuenberger
- Swiss Laboratory for Doping Analyses, University Center of Legal Medicine, Lausanne and Geneva, Lausanne University Hospital and University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
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14
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Thevis M. Broadening the Horizon of Antidoping Analytical Approaches Using Dried Blood Spots. Clin Chem 2021; 67:1041-1043. [PMID: 34060612 DOI: 10.1093/clinchem/hvab074] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2021] [Accepted: 04/22/2021] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
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 (EuMoCEDA), Cologne/Bonn, Germany
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15
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Cox HD, Miller GD, Manandhar A, Husk JD, Jia X, Marvin J, Ward DM, Phillips J, Eichner D. Measurement of Immature Reticulocytes in Dried Blood Spots by Mass Spectrometry. Clin Chem 2021; 67:1071-1079. [PMID: 33993255 DOI: 10.1093/clinchem/hvab058] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2020] [Accepted: 03/23/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Immature reticulocytes (IRC) are the first cells to respond to changes in erythropoiesis. For antidoping applications, measurement of IRC may improve detection of blood doping practices. Unfortunately, this small cell population has limited stability in liquid blood samples and is difficult to measure with optimal precision. We developed a method to measure 3 IRC membrane proteins in dried blood spots (DBS) to monitor changes in erythropoiesis. METHODS DBS spots were washed with buffers to remove soluble proteins, membrane proteins remaining in the spot were digested with trypsin, and one peptide for each protein was measured by LC-MS/MS. IRC protein concentration was determined using a DBS single point calibrator. RESULTS Intraassay precision for IRC proteins was between 5%-15%. IRC proteins were stable in DBS for 29 days at room temperature. In a longitudinal study of 25 volunteers, the mean intraindividual variation for 3 IRC proteins was 17%, 20%, and 24% from capillary blood DBS. In comparison, the mean longitudinal variation for IRC counts measured on an automated hematology analyzer was 38%. IRC protein concentration from capillary blood DBS correlated well with venous blood DBS protein concentrations. CONCLUSIONS Measurement of IRC proteins in DBS samples provides a method to measure changes in erythropoiesis with improved analytical sensitivity, stability, and precision. When combined with the inherent advantages of capillary blood collection in the field, this method may substantially improve the detection of blood doping practices.
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Affiliation(s)
- Holly D Cox
- Sports Medicine Research and Testing Laboratory, South Jordan, UT, USA
| | - Geoffrey D Miller
- Sports Medicine Research and Testing Laboratory, South Jordan, UT, USA
| | | | - Jacob D Husk
- Sports Medicine Research and Testing Laboratory, South Jordan, UT, USA
| | - Xuan Jia
- Department of Pathology, Division of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
| | - James Marvin
- Flow Cytometry Core Facility, University of Utah Health Sciences Center, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
| | - Diane M Ward
- Department of Pathology, Division of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
| | - John Phillips
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Hematology and Hematologic Malignancies, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
| | - Daniel Eichner
- Sports Medicine Research and Testing Laboratory, South Jordan, UT, USA
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16
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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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17
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Reverter-Branchat G, Segura J, Pozo OJ. On the road of dried blood spot sampling for antidoping tests: Detection of GHRP-2 abuse. Drug Test Anal 2020; 13:510-522. [PMID: 33197153 DOI: 10.1002/dta.2975] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2020] [Revised: 10/29/2020] [Accepted: 11/11/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Dried blood spots (DBSs) sampling is gaining support by the antidoping community because of simplicity and cost-effective characteristics, especially in collection, transport, and storage. Nevertheless, DBS applicability demands specific studies for each of the analytes proposed for testing. Here, GHRP-2 has been selected as a representing member of the growth hormone-releasing peptides (GHRPs) family to provide further evidence of DBS suitability for GHRPs abuse detection in sport testing. An analytical procedure to extract GHRP-2 and its main metabolite (AA-3) from DBS and to detect them by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) has been developed. The method has been validated for the detection of GHRP-2. Specificity and identification capabilities have been assessed in agreement with antidoping guidelines. The low AA-3 levels found in DBS samples prevented its effective application for the determination of this metabolite. The limit of detection (LoD) for GHRP-2 has been established at 50 pg/ml. Long-term stability (>2 years) has been confirmed. The procedure has been successfully applied to actual DBS samples from an administration study with a single intravenous dose of GHRP-2 (100 μg) being detected up to 4 h after drug injection. GHRP-2 concentrations have been higher in venous blood DBS than in capillary blood DBS. Despite the observed differences, a similar detection window has been achieved independently of the type of blood used. In summary, this study provides specific evidence supporting DBS usefulness to detect GHRP-2, and potentially other GHRPs family members, for antidoping tests.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gemma Reverter-Branchat
- Integrative Pharmacology and Systems Neuroscience Research Group, IMIM (Hospital del Mar Medical Research Institute), Barcelona, Spain.,Department of Diabetes, Endocrinology, Nutritional Medicine and Metabolism, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Jordi Segura
- Integrative Pharmacology and Systems Neuroscience Research Group, IMIM (Hospital del Mar Medical Research Institute), Barcelona, Spain.,Catalonian Antidoping Laboratory, Doping Control Research Group, IMIM (Hospital del Mar Medical Research Institute), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Oscar J Pozo
- Integrative Pharmacology and Systems Neuroscience Research Group, IMIM (Hospital del Mar Medical Research Institute), Barcelona, Spain
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18
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Luginbühl M, Gaugler S. Dried blood spots for anti-doping: Why just going volumetric may not be sufficient. Drug Test Anal 2020; 13:69-73. [PMID: 33201591 DOI: 10.1002/dta.2977] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2020] [Revised: 11/12/2020] [Accepted: 11/12/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
The perspective discusses quantitative DBS analysis for anti-doping testing in an athletic population and why only using volumetric sampling for this subgroup might not be enough. It presents examples to highlight where HCT variations occur, followed by a whole blood to plasma ratio and an HCT extraction bias discussion. Finally, options to correct for the HCT bias are presented.
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19
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Automation of RNA-based biomarker extraction from dried blood spots for the detection of blood doping. Bioanalysis 2020; 12:729-736. [DOI: 10.4155/bio-2020-0041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Aim: Transcriptomic biomarkers originating from reticulocytes measured in dried blood spots (DBSs) may be reliable indicators of blood doping. Methods/results: Here, we examined changes in the expression levels of the erythropoiesis-related ALAS2, CA1 and SLC4A1 genes in DBS samples from elite athletes and volunteers of clinical study with recombinant erythropoietin dose. Conclusion: By comparing the mean intraday coefficients of variation for ALAS2L, ALASLC, CA1 and SLC4A1 between manual and automated RNA extractions, an average improvement was observed, whereas the assessment of interday variability provided comparable results for both manual and automated approaches. Our results confirmed that RNA biomarkers on DBS support are efficient to detect blood doping.
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20
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Cox HD. Dried Blood Spots May Improve Detection of Blood Doping. Clin Chem 2019; 65:1481-1483. [DOI: 10.1373/clinchem.2019.311902] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2019] [Accepted: 09/30/2019] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Holly D Cox
- Sports Medicine Research and Testing Laboratory, Salt Lake City, UT
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