Steroidomics for highlighting novel serum biomarkers of testosterone doping / Federico Ponzetto, Julien Boccard, Raul Nicoli, Tiia Kuuranne, Martial Saugy, Serge Rudaz. - (Bioanalysis 11 (2019) 12 (10 June); p. 1171-1187).

• PMID: 31179715.
• DOI: 10.4155/bio-2019-0079

Abstract:

Aim: Quantification of testosterone (T) and 5α-dihydrotestosterone serum concentrations proved to be an efficient alternative to urinary steroid profiling for the detection of T doping. In this context, additional serum markers could be discovered by exploratory untargeted steroidomics studies.

Results: Endogenous steroid metabolites were monitored by ultra high-performance liquid chromatography coupled to high-resolution mass spectrometry in serum samples collected during a T administration clinical trial. A three-step workflow for accurate review of annotation was used and multifactorial data analysis allowed highlighting promising serum biomarkers. Longitudinal monitoring of selected compounds was performed to assess T abuse detection capabilities.

Conclusion: Application of serum steroidomics showed high potential for biomarker discovery of T doping, suggesting longitudinal monitoring of steroid hormones in serum as a significant improvement in detection of endogenous steroids abuse.

Steroids, psychosis and poly-substance abuse / R.M. Duffy, B.D. Kelly

• Irish Journal of Psychological Medicine 32 (2015) 2 (June); p. 227-230
• PMID: 30185243
• DOI: 10.1017/ipm.2014.57

Abstract

Objective: To review consequences of the changing demographic profile of anabolic-androgenic steroid (AAS) use.

Method: Case report and review of key papers.

Results: We report here a case of a 19-year-old Irish male presenting with both medical and psychiatric side effects of methandrostenolone use. The man had a long-standing history of harmful cannabis use, but had not experienced previous psychotic symptoms. Following use of methandrostenolone, he developed rhabdomyolysis and a psychotic episode with homicidal ideation. Discussion Non-medical AAS use is a growing problem associated with medical, psychiatric and forensic risks. The population using these drugs has changed with the result of more frequent poly-substance misuse, potentially exacerbating these risks.

Conclusion: A higher index of suspicion is needed for AAS use. Medical personnel need to be aware of the potential side effects of their use, including the risk of violence. Research is needed to establish the magnitude of the problem in Ireland.

Stimulants and doping in sport / Mario Thevis, Gerd Sigmund, Hans Geyer, Wilhelm Schänzer. - (Endocrinology and Metabolism Clinics of North America 39 (2010) 1 (March); p. 89-105)

• PMID: 20122452
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ecl.2009.10.011

Abstract

Stimulants have been frequently detected in doping control samples and represent a structurally diverse class of compounds. Comprehensive sports drug-testing procedures have been developed using gas or liquid chromatography combined with mass spectrometric detection, and they have revealed various adverse analytical findings, as demonstrated with 2 examples, 4-methylhexan-2-amine and methoxyphenamine. Moreover, the necessity of controlling the use or misuse of stimulating agents is outlined by means of pseudoephedrine, a compound that was prohibited in sports until the end of 2003. Since the ban was lifted, monitoring programs proved a significant increase in pseudoephedrine applications as determined from urine samples collected in competition. As a consequence, a reimplementation of this drug in future doping controls was decided.

Stimulating cases tracked down: evaluation of amendment of the act for the fight against doping in sport / J. Snippe, C. Ogier, H. Naayer, B. Bieleman. - Intraval ; i.o.v. ministerie van Justitie. - Groningen : Intraval, 2005
ISBN 9077115676

SUMMARY
Abuse of doping substances may lead to various risks for public health such as injuries due to improper use or due to the use of a product that has been prepared under suspicious circumstances, or injuries because veterinary drugs are mixed with human drugs. An important aim of the doping policy is to fight the use of doping substances in top sport and recreational sport.
To tackle the use of doping substances more effectively, an amendment of the applicable Act came into force in May 2001. The illegal trade in drugs wich are used for doping has now become part of the Economic Offences Act (Wet op de Economische Delicten: WED) while before it was part of the Dutch Provision of Medicine Act (Wet op de Geneesmiddelenvoorziening: WOG). The unauthorised production and delivery of medicines as well as the preparation, selling, delivery, import, trading or keeping in stock for delivery purposes of unregistered medicines are now regarded as economic offences. The objective of the amendment of the Act is to fight the illegal production and trade in medicines and is, therefore, also an approach that can be used more effectively for fighting the production and trade in doping substances. Experience of the investigative services has shown that the low punishment of offences of the Dutch Provision of Medicine Act in particular had an impeding effect on the investigation and prosecution of the illegal production and trade in doping substances. Therefore punishment has been increased with the amendment of the Act and the powers of the investigative services have been extended considerably.

Evaluation
INTRAVAL, bureau for research and consultancy, has evaluated the amendment to the Act on behalf of the Research and Documentation Centre (Wetenschappelijk Onderzoek- en Documentatiecentrum: WODC) of the Dutch Ministry of Justice. INTRAVAL has analysed if the fight against the illegal trade and production of doping substances has improved since the amendment of the Act. Within the framework of the research, interviews have been held with representatives of the organisations involved such as the Dutch Health Care Inspectorate (Inspectie voor de Gezondheidszorg: IGZ), the Economic Surveillance Department of the Inland Revenue Intelligence and Investigations Department (Economische Controle Dienst van de Fiscale Inlichtingen- en Opsporingsdienst: FIODECD), public prosecutors and heads of regional crime squads. In addition to this INTRAVAL has analysed and compared records related to criminal cases before and after the amendment of the Act, has analysed available registration data and has made a study of literature.
The research has shown that there are different bottlenecks. Due to the low priority given to trade in doping, familiarity with doping cases amongst the police and the Public Prosecution Service (Openbaar Ministerie: OM) is slight. As a result, the available number of doping-related cases is limited. It is also quite difficult to find records of doping trade in the registrations of the police and the Public Prosecution Service. In spite of the limitations of the registrations, it seems that most doping cases have been found again. This is also due to the intensive personal approach of investigating and prosecuting officers.

Results
It seems that the number of criminal cases has not increased after the amendment of the Act, but proportionally more doping-related investigations (preliminary to prosecution) have been started. The extended investigative powers have, moreover, been used more
often. The deployment of scarce and expensive investigative resources (telephone taps and surveillance teams) indicates that the Public Prosecution Service is giving higher priority to doping-related cases. A few investigations (preliminary to prosecution) have been started according to the involved parties since the amendment of the Act which would probably not have been carried out should the Act not have been amended. The cooperation between the Public Prosecution Service and the FIOD-ECD with regard to doping investigations seems to have intensified during the last few years. The FIOD-ECD becomes involved in the fight against doping substances because of their fight against various types of fraud, including intellectual property fraud. Frequent use is made of the expertise of the IGZ by all the parties involved in the fight against doping substances and trade, as was the case before the Act was amended. It is unknown to what extent the amendment of the Act has affected the size of the trade and the production of doping substances. Interviews with experts have, however, shown that traders are taking more care. The threat of a more severe punishment and the possible deployment of (extended) investigative resources have lead to them being more selective in their choice of customers. Obtaining doping substances has become more difficult for users because of the above. Doping substances are mainly imported from abroad into the Netherlands. No changes have occurred regarding this either, although there have been slight shifts in the countries of origin.

Conclusion
In spite of the bottlenecks encountered during the research and the information at hand, which is limited in scope, it seems that the contemplated effect of the amendment of the Act - the improvement of the fight against the illegal trade and production of doping
substances - has been achieved. Visible improvements have, in any case, occurred with regard to the effectiveness of the fight against this type of crime. The options to tackle the illegal trade have become greater since the amendment of the Act. The set of instruments available has become broader which has lead to more investigations (preliminary to prosecution). Due to the more severe punishments the Public Prosecution Service has become more eager in starting an investigation into the trade in doping substances. Various investigations (preliminary to prosecution) would not have been carried out without the amendment to the Act.

In November 2015 the Brazilian Cycling Confederation (CBC) has reported an anti-doping rule violation against the cyclist Alex David Mayer Arseno after his sample tested positive for the prohibited substance Erythropoietin (EPO). After notification a provisional suspension was ordered. The Athlete filed a statement in his defence and he was heard for the Disciplinary Commission of the Brazilian Superior Court of Sport Justice.

The Athlete gave a prompt admission, announced his retirement from cycling and offered assistance to the Brazilian Doping Control Authority in revealing other doping violations in cycling.

The Disciplinary Commission established that this was the Athlete’s second anti-doping rule violation and considers grounds to reduce the sanction based on the Athlete’s prompt admission and the substantial assistance the Athlete had provided to the Brazilian Doping Control Authority.
By majority the STJD Disciplinary Commission decides on 24 February 2016 to impose a 2 year period of ineligibility on the Athlete starting on the date of the provisional suspension, i.e. on 11 November 2015.

In December 2015 the Brazilian Cycling Confederation (CBC) has reported an anti-doping rule violation against the paracyclist Silvana Teresa Diniz Pinto after her sample tested positive for the prohibited substance Hydrochlorothiazide. After notification a provisional suspension was ordered. The Athlete filed a statement in her defence and she was heard for the Disciplinary Commission of the Brazilian Superior Court of Sport Justice (STJD).

The Athlete (45) denied the intentional use of the substance and explained that she is only an amateur parathlete without support personnel and without sufficient knowledge of anti-doping. She testified that she underwent surgery in 2007 for thrombosis in her leg and used the substance occasionally as treatment without prescription for her condition.

The Disciplinary Commission finds that the amateur parathlete acted negligently since she failed to apply for a TUE for the use of this substance. The Commission further considers that the violation was not intentional and that there are grounds for a reduced sanction.

Therefore the STJD Disciplinary Commission decides on 24 January 2016 to impose a 6 month period of ineligibility on the Athlete starting on the date of the provisional suspension, i.e. 7 December 2018.

In November 2015 the Brazilian Cycling Confederation (CBC) has reported an anti-doping rule violation against the cyclist Uênia Fernandes de Souza after her sample tested positive for the prohibited substance Erythropoietin (EPO). After notification a provisional suspension was ordered. The Athlete filed a statement in her defence and she was heard for the Disciplinary Commission of the Brazilian Superior Court of Sport Justice.

The Athlete argued that the several irregularities occurred during the sample collection and disputed the test result.

Considering the evidence in this case the STJD Disciplinary Commission concluded that procedural errors and several departures of the standards and rules occurred in this case. Therefore by majority the STJD Disciplinary Commission decides on 16 December 2016 to acquit the Athlete.

Story behind Meldonium - from pharmacology to performance enhancement: a narrative review / Wolfgang Schobersberger, Tobias Dünnwald, Günther Gmeiner, Cornelia Blank. - (British Journal of Sports Medicine 51 (2016) 1 (July 27) : p. 22-25). - PubMed: 27465696. - DOI: 10.1136/bjsports-2016-096357

Abstract:

Recent reports from the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) indicate an alarming prevalence in the use of meldonium among elite athletes. Therefore, in January 2016, meldonium was added to WADA's prohibited list after being monitored since 2015. Meldonium has been shown to have beneficial effects in cardiovascular, neurological and metabolic diseases due to its anti-ischaemic and cardioprotective properties, which are ascribed mainly to its inhibition of ß-oxidation and its activation of glycolysis. Despite its widespread use, there are only a few clinical studies or clinical trials available. Meldonium is registered in most Baltic countries and is easily accessible through the internet with no serious adverse effects reported by the manufacturer so far. Among athletes, meldonium is used with the purpose of increasing recovery rate or exercise performance. The benefit of taking meldonium in view of performance enhancement in athletes is quite speculative and is discussed without sound scientific evidence. This narrative review provides a detailed overview of the drug meldonium, focusing on the main topics pharmacology and biochemical actions, clinical applications, pharmacokinetics, methods of detection and potential for performance enhancement in athletes.

Strategy for Stopping Steroids / Malene Radmer Johannisson, Mathias Warnecke, Jakob Berget, Bart Coumans, Hans Wassink, Charlotta Rehnman Wigstad, Erika Sjöblom, Michal Rinkowski, Michael Petrou. - Anti-Doping Denmark (ADD), Cyprus Anti Doping Authority, Dopingautoriteit - Anti-doping Authority Netherlands, European Commission, Polish Commission Against Doping in Sport, Polish Institute of Sport, Stockholm förebygger alkohol- och drogproblem (STAD) - Stockholm Prevents Alcohol and Drug Problems. - Broendby : Anti Doping Danmark, 2012

Use of Anabolic Androgenic Steroids and other similar doping substances is a substantial problem in Europe – primarily among young men – which until recently has not been given much attention. Steroids and similar doping substances can have serious physical, psychological and social side-effects for the individual user, and the substances also constitute a societal problem due to the user’s health problems and behaviour. In the White Paper on Sport launched in 2007, the European Commission points out that doping constitutes a threat to sport and a serious threat to the health of the individual using doping. The Commission also states that one must focus upon the fight against doping both in law enforcement initiatives as well as in health and prevention, and do so at a European level. Finally, the Commission recommends that trade in illicit doping substances be treated in the same manner as trade in illicit drugs throughout the EU. This report illustrates the current situation and the work performed in relation to all aspects of fitness doping – from production and trafficking to young men’s focus on the muscular body and prevention to health risks and treatment of users. It is the aim that the report should represent “good practice” and serve as inspiration for other countries in the EU keen on working with doping in the fitness sector.

The report is a result of the collaboration between: Anti Doping Denmark; Anti-Doping Authority, the Netherlands; STAD – Stockholm Prevents Alcohol and Drug Problems, Sweden; Polish Institute of Sport, represented by Polish Commission Against Doping in Sport; CyADA – Cyprus Anti-Doping Authority.

Strengthening Athlete Power in Sport : A multidisciplinary review and framework / Alberto Carrio, Arnout Geeraert, Evie Ham, Andy Harvey, Alban Zohn, Mike McNamee (Ed.). - Aarhus : Play the Game; Danish Institute for Sports Studies, 2021

• ISBN978-87-93784-57-4

The project Strengthening Athlete Power in Sport (SAPIS) aimed at strengthening the influence and representation of athletes in the way that their sports organizations are governed and managed has released their first output.

The output, a literature review produced by the project’s academic partners, demonstrates that academic research on questions of athlete representation is limited. Therefore, to effectively capture what happens on the ground in terms of political structures and groups that promote athlete’s interests, in addition to scientific academic literature other documents have been included.  

The review is organized under the following headings: 

• Democracy and sports governance 
• Legitimacy of sports governance 
• Athletes and industrial relations 
• The special features of the sports sector 
• Athlete activism 
• The grey literature on athletes’ rights