Effects of 3 Weeks of Oral Low-Dose Cobalt on Hemoglobin Mass and Aerobic Performance

Effects of 3 Weeks of Oral Low-Dose Cobalt on Hemoglobin Mass and Aerobic Performance / Torben Hoffmeister, Dirk Schwenke, Oliver Krug, Nadine Wachsmuth, Hans Geyer, Mario Thevis, William C. Byrnes, Walter F. J. Schmidt. - (Frontiers in Physiology (2019) 9 (19 September) ; p. 1-9).
- PMID: 30283349.
- PMCID: PMC6157393.
- DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2018.01289


Abstract

Introduction: Cobalt ions (Co2+) stabilize HIFα and increase endogenous erythropoietin (EPO) production creating the possibility that Co2+ supplements (CoSupp) may be used as performance enhancing substances. The aim of this study was to determine the effects of a small oral dosage of CoSupp on hemoglobin mass (Hbmass) and performance with the objective of providing the basis for establishing upper threshold limits of urine [Co2+] to detect CoSupp misuse in sport.

Methods:
Twenty-four male subjects participated in a double-blind placebo-controlled study. Sixteen received an oral dose of 5 mg of ionized Co2+ per day for 3 weeks, and eight served as controls. Blood and urine samples were taken before the study, during the study and up to 3 weeks after CoSupp. Hbmass was determined by the CO-rebreathing method at regular time intervals, and VO2max was determined before and after the CoSupp administration period.

Results:
In the Co2+ group, Hbmass increased by 2.0 ± 2.1% (p < 0.001) while all the other analyzed hematological parameters did not show significant interactions of time and treatment. Hemoglobin concentration ([Hb]) and hematocrit (Hct) tended to increase (p = 0.16, p = 0.1) and also [EPO] showed a similar trend (baseline: 9.5 ± 3.0, after 2 weeks: 12.4 ± 5.2 mU/ml). While mean VO2max did not change, there was a trend for a positive relationship between changes in Hbmass and changes in VO2max immediately after CoSupp (r = 0.40, p = 0.11). Urine [Co2+] increased from 0.4 ± 0.3 to 471.4 ± 384.1 ng/ml (p < 0.01) and remained significantly elevated until 2 weeks after cessation.

Conclusion:
An oral Co2+ dosage of 5 mg/day for 3 weeks effectively increases Hbmass with a tendency to increase hemoglobin concentration ([Hb]) and hematocrit (Hct). Because urine Co2+ concentration remains increased for 2 weeks after cessation, upper limit threshold values for monitoring CoSupp can be established.

Original document

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Science
Research / Study
Date
19 September 2018
People
Byrnes, William C.
Geyer, Hans
Hoffmeister, Torben
Krug, Oliver
Schwenke, Dirk
Thevis, Mario
Wachsmuth, Nadine
Country
Germany
United States of America
Language
English
Other organisations
Universität Bayreuth - University of Bayreuth
University of Colorado Boulder (CU Boulder)
Laboratories
Cologne, Germany: Institute of Biochemistry - German Sport University Cologne
Kreischa, Germany: Institute of Doping Analysis and Sports Biochemistry (IDAS)-Dresden
Analytical aspects
New substance, not on prohibited list
Doping classes
S2. Peptide Hormones, Growth Factors
Substances
Erythropoietin (EPO)
Medical terms
Endogenous production
Various
Supplements
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Scientific article
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27 March 2019
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