In June 2011 Antidoping Agencija Republike Srbije (ADAS), Antidoping Agency of Serbia, reported an anti-doping rule violation against the Player after his sample tested positive for the prohibited substance carboxy-THC (cannabis). Because Player’s contract had expired with the Serbian basketball team, the Serbian Basketball Federation had no jurisdiction anymore to handle the case. Therefore in July 2011 the ADAS transferred the case to the FIBA.

After notification the Player was heard for the FIBA Disciplinary Panel.
Player stated he had smoked cannabis a week before the doping test. The Player expressed his regret and had no intention to enhance his performance.
The FIBA Disciplinary Panel decides a 3 month period of ineligibility starting from Player’s last official game, i.e. on 9 June 2011.

A steroidomic approach for biomarkers discovery in doping control / Julien Boccard, Flavia Badoud, Elia Grata, Samia Ouertani, Mohamed Hanafi, Gérard Mazerolles, Pierre Lantéri, Jean-Luc Veuthey, Martial Saugy, Serge Rudaz. - (Forensic Science International 213 (2011) 1-3 (10 December); p. 85-94)

• PMID: 21831550
• DOI: 10.1016/j.forsciint.2011.07.023

Abstract

Anti-doping authorities have high expectations of the athlete steroidal passport (ASP) for anabolic-androgenic steroids misuse detection. However, it is still limited to the monitoring of known well-established compounds and might greatly benefit from the discovery of new relevant biomarkers candidates. In this context, steroidomics opens the way to the untargeted simultaneous evaluation of a high number of compounds. Analytical platforms associating the performance of ultra-high pressure liquid chromatography (UHPLC) and the high mass-resolving power of quadrupole time-of-flight (QTOF) mass spectrometers are particularly adapted for such purpose. An untargeted steroidomic approach was proposed to analyse urine samples from a clinical trial for the discovery of relevant biomarkers of testosterone undecanoate oral intake. Automatic peak detection was performed and a filter of reference steroid metabolites mass-to-charge ratio (m/z) values was applied to the raw data to ensure the selection of a subset of steroid-related features. Chemometric tools were applied for the filtering and the analysis of UHPLC-QTOF-MS(E) data. Time kinetics could be assessed with N-way projections to latent structures discriminant analysis (N-PLS-DA) and a detection window was confirmed. Orthogonal projections to latent structures discriminant analysis (O-PLS-DA) classification models were evaluated in a second step to assess the predictive power of both known metabolites and unknown compounds. A shared and unique structure plot (SUS-plot) analysis was performed to select the most promising unknown candidates and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were computed to assess specificity criteria applied in routine doping control. This approach underlined the pertinence to monitor both glucuronide and sulphate steroid conjugates and include them in the athletes passport, while promising biomarkers were also highlighted.

Backhouse SH, Whitaker L, Petróczi A.
Scand J Med Sci Sports. 2011 Aug 9. doi: 10.1111/j.1600-0838.2011.01374

Abstract

Nutritional supplement (NS) use is widespread in sport. This study applied an integrated social cognitive approach to examine doping attitudes, beliefs, and self-reported doping use behavior across NS users (n = 96) and nonusers (n = 116). Following ethical approval, 212 competitive athletes (age mean = 21.4, s = 4.5; 137 males) completed self-reported measures of doping-related social cognitions and behaviors, presented in an online format where completion implied consent. Significantly more NS users (22.9%) reported doping compared with nonusers (6.0%; U = 4628.0, P < 0.05). NS users presented significantly more positive attitudes toward doping (U = 3152.0, P < 0.05) and expressed a significantly greater belief that doping is effective (U = 3152.0, P < 0.05). When presented with the scenario that performance-enhancing substances are effective and increase the possibility of winning, NS users were significantly more in favor of competing in situations that allow doping (U = 3504.5, P < 0.05). In sum, doping use is three-and-a-half times more prevalent in NS users compared with nonusers. This finding is accompanied by significant differences in doping attitudes, norms, and beliefs. Thus, this article offers support for the gateway hypothesis; athletes who engage in legal performance enhancement practices appear to embody an "at-risk" group for transition toward doping. Education should be appropriately targeted.

Badoud F, Guillarme D, Boccard J, Grata E, Saugy M, Rudaz S, Veuthey JL. Analytical aspects in doping control: challenges and perspectives. Forensic Sci Int. 2011 Dec 10;213(1-3):49-61. Epub 2011 Aug 6.

In June 2011 the Koninklijke Nederlandse Cricket Bond (KNCB), the Royal Netherlands Cricket Association, has reported an anti-doping rule violation against the Athlete after his sample tested positive for the prohibited substance cannabis.
After notification the Athlete filed a statement in his defence and was heard for the KNCB Disciplinary Committee. The Athlete admitted he used cannabis out of competition a week before the doping test during the festivities on 30 April 2011.

Considering the Athlete had no intention to enhance his sport performance the KNCB Disciplinary Committee decides to impose a 6 month period on the Athlete starting on the date of the decision.
Fees and expenses for this committee shall be borne by the Athlete.

The Royal Dutch Motorcyclists Association (Koninklijke Nederlandse Motorrijders Vereniging, KNMV) has reported an anti doping rule violation against this person after he tested positive for the prohibited substance 11-nor-∆9-tetrahydrocannabinol-9carboxylic acid (a metabolite of cannabis). KNMV notified the person of the doping violation and ordered a provisional suspension. Person filed a statement in his defence and was heard for the Committee.

Person stated he had a depression and used cannabis a few weeks before the test. Person didn’t know cannabis is a prohibited substance for competitions and had no intention to enhance his performance.
The Disciplinary Committee concludes that there are mitigating circumstances and person already had accepted a provisional suspension. Therefore the Committee decides only to reprimand the person. Fees and expenses for this committee shall be borne by person.

The Dutch Rugby Board (Nederlandse Rugby Bond, NRB) has reported against this person for violating the Anti-Doping Rules of the ISR. In the analysis of the A-part of the urine sample of the person concerned is the substance 4-methyl-2-hexaneamine found. The B-part has confirmed the presence of this substance. Person has filed a defence and the case was orally treated.

Person was not in possession of a valid dispensation. Person has in his defence addressed the manner in which and the caution with which he proceeded to the purchase and use of the supplement that the prohibited substance was found to contain. But this should not benefit because the personal duty of every athlete to make sure that no prohibited substance in his body. Proof of offense is supplied.

Because the prohibited substance found a specific substance, the penalty (exclusion of two years) can be reduced if you meet certain conditions. It is for the Disciplinary Commission how the substance of the body concerned has come in and moreover clear that the substance was not intended to sport performance. There is compliance with the conditions. The degree of guilt of the person concerned is in the opinion of the Disciplinary Committee is greatly reduced by the caution with which the person concerned has proceeded (sought advice from experts in the field of nutrition and food of the NRB and the owner of the shop from where he Supplement was purchased).

Given the reasonable care of the person concerned, the lack of information of the NRB, the special position of the prohibited substance and his young age, eight of the Disciplinary Committee to give a warning, accompanied by a reprimand in place.

SARM-S4 and metabolites detection in sports drug testing: a case report / Elia Grata, Laurent Perrenoud, Martial Saugy, Norbert Baume. - (Forensic Science International 213 (2011) 1-3 (10 December); p. 104-108)

• PMID: 21816554
• DOI: 10.1016/j.forsciint.2011.07.014

Abstract

Recently, pharmaceutical industry developed a new class of therapeutics called Selective Androgen Receptor Modulator (SARM) to substitute the synthetic anabolic drugs used in medical treatments. Since the beginning of the anti-doping testing in sports in the 1970s, steroids have been the most frequently detected drugs mainly used for their anabolic properties. The major advantage of SARMs is the reduced androgenic activities which are the main source of side effects following anabolic agents' administration. In 2010, the Swiss laboratory for doping analyses reported the first case of SARMs abuse during in-competition testing. The analytical steps leading to this finding are described in this paper. Screening and confirmation results were obtained based on liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) analyses. Additional information regarding the SARM S-4 metabolism was investigated by ultra high-pressure liquid chromatography coupled to quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometer (UHPLC-QTOF-MS).

Facts
The International Rugby Board (IRB) alleges Ryohei Yamanaka for a violation of the Anti-Doping Rules. On 9-4-2011 the player provided an urine sample during an Out of Competition Test. The sample tested positve for the substance Methyltestosterone and/or Methandriol.

History
The Player explained that acting on the advice of his barber towards the end of January 2011 he purchased without a doctor's prescription, two tubes of a product branded as "Microgen Pastae" ("the Product") commonly used in Japan for the purpose of generating hair growth. He intended growing a moustache to complement his beard. At the time of purchase the Player unfortunately omitted to ascertain whether the product contained a prohibited substance. This product constains the prohibited substances methyltestosterone and testosterone.

Decision
On 9 April 2011 the Player committed an anti-doping rule violation.
The sanction imposed for this anti-doping rule violation is a period of Ineligibility of two years, commencing on 28th April 2011 (the date upon which the Player was notified of the adverse analytical finding and provisionally suspended) and concluding on (but inclusive of) 27 April 2013.

Costs
Written submissions should be provided on time to the panel.

The selective androgen receptor modulator GTx-024 (enobosarm) improves lean body mass and physical function in healthy elderly men and postmenopausal women : results of a double-blind, placebo-controlled phase II trial / James T. Dalton, Kester G. Barnette, Casey E. Bohl, Michael L. Hancock, Domingo Rodriguez, Shontelle T. Dodson, Ronald A. Morton, Mitchell S. Steiner. - (Journal of Cachexia, Sarcopenia and Muscle 2 (2011) 3 (September), p. 153-161)

• PMID: 22031847
• PMCID: PMC3177038
• DOI: 10.1007/s13539-011-0034-6

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Cachexia, also known as muscle wasting, is a complex metabolic condition characterized by loss of skeletal muscle and a decline in physical function. Muscle wasting is associated with cancer, sarcopenia, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, end-stage renal disease, and other chronic conditions and results in significant morbidity and mortality. GTx-024 (enobosarm) is a nonsteroidal selective androgen receptor modulator (SARM) that has tissue-selective anabolic effects in muscle and bone, while sparing other androgenic tissue related to hair growth in women and prostate effects in men. GTx-024 has demonstrated promising pharmacologic effects in preclinical studies and favorable safety and pharmacokinetic profiles in phase I investigation. METHODS: A 12-week double-blind, placebo-controlled phase II clinical trial was conducted to evaluate GTx-024 in 120 healthy elderly men (>60 years of age) and postmenopausal women. The primary endpoint was total lean body mass assessed by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry, and secondary endpoints included physical function, body weight, insulin resistance, and safety. RESULTS: GTx-024 treatment resulted in dose-dependent increases in total lean body mass that were statistically significant (P < 0.001, 3 mg vs. placebo) and clinically meaningful. There were also significant improvements in physical function (P = 0.013, 3 mg vs. placebo) and insulin resistance (P = 0.013, 3 mg vs. placebo). The incidence of adverse events was similar between treatment groups. CONCLUSION: GTx-024 showed a dose-dependent improvement in total lean body mass and physical function and was well tolerated. GTx-024 may be useful in the prevention and/or treatment of muscle wasting associated with cancer and other chronic diseases.