Adverse effects of sports supplements in men

Simultaneous Analysis and Efficient Separation of Anabolic Androgenic Steroids in Dietary Supplement by a Validated HPTLC Method

Background

Using sports supplements is common among athletes. The presence of anabolic steroids in sports supplements as a hormonal contaminant can increase production efficiency. Since anabolic steroids cause health problems and result in positive doping tests in athletes, it is important to investigate their presence in the supplement preparations consumed by athletes.

Objectives

This paper aims to simultaneously determine ten anabolic steroids by high-performance thin-layer chromatography (HPTLC) method in sports supplements.

Methods

Chromatographic analysis was conducted on glass silica gel 60F254 plates. The extracts loaded on silica gel plates are subjected to programed multiple development (PMD) to separate anabolic androgenic steroids (AASs). Densitometric scanning is carried out at the wavelength of 245 and 366nm. The method was validated according to the ICH guidelines.

Results

Spots at retardation factor (Rf) 0.72 (elution system 1), 0.4 (elution system 1), 0.29 (elution system 2), 0.25 (elution system 2), 0.1 (elution system 1), 0.65 (elution system 2), 0.59 (elution system 1), 0.44 (elution system 1), 0.8 (elution system 3), and 0.82 (elution system 3) values were recognized as 19-nor androstenedione, 19-nortestosterone, methyl testosterone, clostebol, stanozolol, trenbolone enanthate, oxymetholone, oxandrolone, testosterone enanthate, and nandrolone decanoate, respectively. The linear ranges were 25 - 250 μg/mL for oxymetholone, 7 - 50 μg/mL for 19-nor androstenedione, 19-nortestosterone, and oxandrolone, and 3 - 20 μg/mL for methyl testosterone, clostebol, stanozolol, trenbolone enanthate, testosterone enanthate, and nandrolone decanoate. The developed method is validated by acceptable precision (CV < 20%) and good accuracy (94% < R < 114%). The value of limit of detection (LOD) for all derivatives was in the range of 0.02 - 0.16 μg/spot (20-160 μg/g of supplement), while limit of quantitation (LOQ) was found to be in the range of 0.06 - 0.5 μg/spot (60 - 500 μg/g of supplement). Fifty sports supplement samples as real sample were collected and analyzed. None of the samples screened positive using the HPTLC method.

Conclusions

In the present study, the fast, cheap, and simple HPTLC method could be used for the multi-residue analysis of ten anabolic androgenic steroids in sports supplements.

Dietary Supplements Use among Athletes in Lebanon: Knowledge, Attitudes, Practices, and Correlates

Athletes are under the utmost pressure to reach excellence in their performance and achieve the desired outcomes in competitions, prompting them to use dietary supplements. Given the threats to both health and eligibility, it is crucial to observe the prevalence, sources of information, knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAPs) among Lebanese athletes practicing their sports for at least two years. In the present paper, a cross-sectional study is performed using the snowball sampling method, in which a self-administered KAP questionnaire is used to collect data from 455 athletes (mean age: 27.4 ± 7.9 years; men: 73.1%) participating in four sports categories (ball games, combat sports, endurance sports, and weightlifting). Among the Lebanese athletes, the prevalence of dietary supplement (DS) use was 74%, where half of them had predominately used sports supplements. Athletes in Lebanon heavily rely on coaches (74%) and online sources, including webpages and social media (64%), as key information sources for DSs. The findings suggest that significant proportions of athletes show knowledge deficits and unsatisfactory attitudes towards multiple aspects related to supplementation. Moreover, education and sports type modulate the use of DSs among athletes. Furthermore, 34% reported using supplements without a recommendation from specialists, and 69% admitted to not reading the supplement's nutrition facts. This study urges the need for the regulation of concerned authorities and education programs to help overcome the existing challenges.

Effects of resistance training, palm pollen grain extracts, and testosterone injection on luteinizing hormone receptors, claudin-1, cingulin, and zonula occludens in the prostate tissues of adult male rats

The present study aimed to investigate the effects of resistance training, Phoenix dactylifera extract, and testosterone enanthate injection on luteinizing hormone receptor, claudin-1, cingulin, and zonula occludens in the prostate tissues of adult rats. 30 male rats were divided into six groups: (1) control, (2) resistance training, (3) Phoenix dactylifera extract, (4) testosterone enanthate, (5) resistance training+Phoenix dactylifera extract, and (6) resistance training + testosterone enanthate. After completing the treatments and resistance training, all rats were sacrificed via anaesthesia. The results showed that resistance training, Phoenix dactylifera, and testosterone enanthate significantly increased the luteinizing hormone receptor, claudin-1, cingulin, and zonula occludens gene expression levels in the prostate. The resistance training treatment, along with Phoenix dactylifera + testosterone enanthate, exerted synergic effects on the prostate luteinizing hormone receptor levels and claudin-1 gene expression. In conclusion, Phoenix dactylifera, as a natural compound with fewer side effects than testosterone injection, can be used to enhance athletic performance. Besides, considering the potential benefits of Phoenix dactylifera, it can be considered in the treatment of testosterone deficiency; however, further research is needed.

Sport supplement use among high school rugby players in South Africa: A scoping review

Background

The use of sport supplements has increased for all types and levels of sport, with an estimated increase of 5.8% annually. Sport supplement usage and doping among high school athletes has increased over the years to meet the demands of the sports.

Objective

This scoping review identifies the trends and gaps in current literature regarding sport supplement use among high school rugby players in South Africa.

Methods

A search was conducted using six electronic databases, namely Oxford Academic, Emerald Publishing, ResearchGate, SABINET, PubMed and Google Scholar. The eligibility of the articles was determined by means of a PRISMA flow diagram with the following inclusion criteria: (1) research concerning supplement use among rugby players, (2) research concerning supplement use among high school rugby players. Five articles all comprising of cross-sectional study designs were included in this scoping review.

Results

The prevalence of sport supplement use among adolescent rugby players ranged from 30% to 45%. Protein supplements (31% - 79%) were the most commonly identified supplement used among adolescent rugby players with the aim to improve sport performance as the most common reason for use. The internet (74%) and magazines (72%), followed by coaches comments (28% to 30%), were given as the most common sources of information.

Conclusion

The use of sport supplements is increasing among high school athletes due to the belief that these substances will provide sporting performance benefits or enhance the competitive 'edge' of these athletes. Additional education regarding the safety of supplements is necessary to lower the incidences of doping among young athletes and avoid the adverse health effects that uncontrolled supplement use can cause.