The effect of athletes' hyperhydration on the urinary 'steroid profile' markers in doping control analysis / I. Athanasiadou, S. Kraiem, S. Al‐Sowaidi, H. Al‐Mohammed, N. Dbes, S. Al‐Yazedi, W. Samsam, V. Mohamed‐Ali, A. Dokoumetzidis, M. Alsayrafi, G. Valsami, C. Georgakopoulos . - (Drug testing and analysis 10 (2018) 9 (September) ; p. 1458-1468).
- PMID: 29745045.
- DOI: 10.1002/dta.2403

Abstract:

The urinary 'steroid profile' in doping control analysis is a powerful tool aimed at detecting intra-individual deviations related to the abuse of endogenous steroids. Factors altering the steroid profile include, among others, the excessive fluid intake leading to low endogenous steroids concentrations compared to an individual's normal values. Cases report the use of hyperhydration by athletes as a masking method during anti-doping urine sample collection. Seven healthy physically active non-smoking Caucasian males were examined for a 72-hour period using water and a commercial sports drink as hyperhydration agents (20 mL/kg body weight). Urine samples were collected and analyzed according to World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) technical documents. Although, significant differences were observed on the endogenous steroid concentrations under the studied hyperhydration conditions, specific gravity adjustment based on a reference value of 1.020 can eliminate the dilution induced effect. Adjustment methods based on creatinine and urinary flow rate were also examined; however, specific gravity was the optimum method in terms of effectiveness to adjust concentrations close to the baseline steroid profile and practicability. No significant effect on the urinary steroid ratios was observed with variability values within 30% of the mean for the majority of data. Furthermore, no masking on the detection ability of endogenous steroids was observed due to hyperhydration. It can be concluded that any deviation on the endogenous steroid concentrations due to excessive fluid intake can be compensated by the specific gravity adjustment and therefore, hyperhydration is not effective as a masking method on the detection of the abuse of endogenous steroids.

The effect of caffeine and albuterol on body composition and metabolic rate / Ann G. Liu, Kenneth P. Arceneaux III, Jessica T. Chu, Gregory Jacob Jr., Allyson L. Schreiber, Russell C. Tipton, Ying Yu, William D. Johnson, Frank L. Greenway, Stefany D. Primeaux. - (Obesity 23 (2015) 9 (September); p. 1830-1835).
- PMID:26239482.
- PMCID: PMC4551658.
- DOI: 10.1002/oby.21163

Abstract

Objective
Caffeine and ephedrine was an effective combination therapy for weight loss until ephedrine was removed from the market due to safety concerns. This study investigated the combination of caffeine and albuterol as a possibly safer alternative to ephedrine.

Methods
In a series of experiments using cultured adipocytes, rat models, and humans, the effects of caffeine and albuterol on lipolysis, metabolic rate, food intake, and body composition were evaluated.

Results
Both caffeine and albuterol enhanced lipolysis in cultured adipocytes. Acute treatment of humans with caffeine and/or albuterol increased resting metabolic rate. Longer‐term studies of rats revealed a trend for increased metabolic rate with albuterol treatment. There was increased lean mass gain concurrent with decreased fat mass gain with caffeine/albuterol treatment that was greater than albuterol treatment alone.

Conclusions
In rats, albuterol with caffeine produced significantly greater increases in lean body mass and reductions in fat mass without changes in food intake after 4‐8 weeks of treatment. Since caffeine and albuterol are approved for the treatment of asthma in children and adolescents at the doses tested and change body composition without changing food intake, this combination may deserve further exploration for use in treating pediatric obesity.

Ftaiti F, Dantin MP, Nicol C, Brunet C, Grélot L. The effect of desmopressin, a vasopressin analog, on endurance performance during a prolonged run in simulated heat conditions. Appl Physiol Nutr Metab. 2006 Apr;31(2):135-43.

The effect of ephedra and caffeine on maximal strength and power in resistance-trained athletes / Andrew D. Williams, Paul J. Cribb, Matthew B. Cooke, Alan Hayes. - (Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research 22 (2008) 2 (March); p. 464-470)

• PMID: 18550961
• DOI: 10.1519/JSC.0b013e3181660320

Abstract

Caffeine and ephedrine-related alkaloids recently have been removed from International Olympic Committee banned substances lists, whereas ephedrine itself is now permissible at urinary concentrations less than 10 mug.mL. The changes to the list may contribute to an increased use of caffeine and ephedra as ergogenic aids by athletes. Consequently, we sought to investigate the effects of ingesting caffeine (C) or a combination of ephedra and caffeine (C + E) on muscular strength and anaerobic power using a double-blind, crossover design. Forty-five minutes after ingesting a glucose placebo (P: 300 mg), C (300 mg) or C + E (300 mg + 60 mg), 9 resistance-trained male participants were tested for maximal strength by bench press [BP; 1 repetition maximum (1RM)] and latissimus dorsi pull down (LP; 1RM). Subjects also performed repeated repetitions at 80% of 1RM on both BP and LP until exhaustion. After this test, subjects underwent a 30-second Wingate test to determine peak anaerobic cycling power, mean power, and fatigue index. Although subjects reported increased alertness and enhanced mood after supplementation with caffeine and ephedra, there were no significant differences between any of the treatments in muscle strength, muscle endurance, or peak anaerobic power. Our results do not support the contention that supplementation with ephedra or caffeine will enhance either muscle strength or anaerobic exercise performance.

G K Lijesen, I Theeuwen, W J Assendelft, and G Van Der Wal
Br J Clin Pharmacol. 1995 September; 40(3): 237–243.

Abstract

1. A meta-analysis was conducted to assess if there is scientific ground for the use of human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) as adjunctive therapy in the treatment of obesity.
2. Published papers relating to eight controlled and 16 uncontrolled trials that measured the effect of HCG in the treatment of obesity were traced by computer-aided search and citation tracking.
3. The trials were scored for the quality of the methods (based on four main categories: study population, interventions, measurement of effect, and data presentation and analysis) and the main conclusion of author(s) with regard to weight-loss, fat-redistribution, hunger, and feeling of well-being.
4. Methodological scores ranged from 16 to 73 points (maximum score 100), suggesting that most studies were of poor methodological quality. Of the 12 studies scoring 50 or more points, one reported that HCG was a useful adjunct. The studies scoring 50 or more points were all controlled.
5. We conclude that there is no scientific evidence that HCG is effective in the treatment of obesity; it does not bring about weight-loss of fat-redistribution, nor does it reduce hunger or induce a feeling of well-being.

The effect of nandrolone decanoate on bone mineral density, muscle mass, and hemoglobin levels in elderly women with osteoporosis : a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial /  Alberto Frisoli Jr, Paulo H.M. Chaves, Marcelo Medeiros Pinheiro, Vera Lucia Szejnfeld. - (Journal of Gerontlolgy 60 (2005) 5 (May); p. 648-653)

• PMID: 15972619
• DOI: 10.1093/gerona/60.5.648

Abstract

Methods: In a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial, we evaluated the effect of a 2-year treatment with nandrolone decanoate (ND) on bone mineral density (BMD) of lumbar spine, femoral neck, and trochanter and on vertebral fracture rate, muscle mass, and hemoglobin levels. Sixty-five osteoporotic women older than 70 years were studied. Thirty-two patients received injections of 50 mg ND, and 33 received placebos every 3 weeks. All patients received 500 mg calcium tablets daily.

Results: Compared to baseline, ND increased the BMD of the lumbar spine (3.4% +/- 6.0 and 3.7% +/- 7.4; p < .05) and femoral neck (4.1% +/- 7.3 and 4.7% +/- 8.0; p < .05) after 1 and 2 years, respectively. The BMD of trochanter increased significantly only after the first year (4.8% +/- 9.3, p < .05). Compared to the placebo group, the ND group presented with significantly increased BMD of the trochanter and neck. ND significantly reduced incidence of new vertebral fractures (21% vs 43% in the placebo group; p < .05). ND showed a significant statistical increase in lean body mass after the first (6.2% +/- 5.8; p < .01) and second years (11.9% +/- 29.2; p < .01). In addition, a 2-year treatment with ND significantly increased hemoglobin levels compared to baseline (14.3%; p < .01) and placebo (p < .01).

Conclusions: ND increased BMD, hemoglobin levels, and muscle mass, and reduced the vertebral fracture rate of elderly osteoporotic women.

The effect of short-term use of testosterone enanthate on muscular strength and power in healthy young men / Shane Rogerson, Robert P. Weatherby, Glen B. Deakin, Rudi A. Meir, Rosanne A. Coutts, Shi Zhou, Sonya M. Marshall-Gradisnik. - (Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research 21 (2007) 2 (May); p. 354–361)

• PMID: 17530941
• DOI: 10.1519/R-18385.1

Abstract

Use of testosterone enanthate has been shown to significantly increase strength within 6-12 weeks of administration (2, 9), however, it is unclear if the ergogenic benefits are evident in less than 6 weeks. Testosterone enanthate is classified as a prohibited substance by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) and its use may be detected by way of the urinary testosterone/epitestosterone (T/E) ratio (16). The two objectives of this study were to establish (a) if injection of 3.5 mg.kg(-1) testosterone enanthate once per week could increase muscular strength and cycle sprint performance in 3-6 weeks; and (b) if the WADA-imposed urinary T/E ratio of 4:1 could identify all subjects being administered 3.5 mg.kg(-1) testosterone enanthate. Sixteen healthy young men were match-paired and were assigned randomly in a double-blind manner to either a testosterone enanthate or a placebo group. All subjects performed a structured heavy resistance training program while receiving either testosterone enanthate (3.5 mg.kg(-1)) or saline injections once weekly for 6 weeks. One repetition maximum (1RM) strength measures and 10-second cycle sprint performance were monitored at the pre (week 0), mid (week 3), and post (week 6) time points. Body mass and the urinary T/E ratio were measured at the pre (week 0) and post (week 6) time points. When compared with baseline (pre), 1RM bench press strength and total work during the cycle sprint increased significantly at week 3 (p < 0.01) and week 6 (p < 0.01) in the testosterone enanthate group, but not in the placebo group. Body mass at week 6 was significantly greater than at baseline in the testosterone enanthate group (p < 0.01), but not in the placebo group. Despite the clear ergogenic effects of testosterone enanthate in as little as 3 weeks, 4 of the 9 subjects in the testosterone enanthate group (approximately 44%) did not test positive to testosterone under current WADA urinary T/E ratio criteria.

The effects of anabolic-androgenic steroids on DNA damage in bodybuilders' blood lymphocytes / Abbasali Abbasnezhad, Miad Mahdavi, Mojtaba Kianmehr, Mohamad Ghorbani, Mahmoud Reza Motaghy, Mohammad Sohrabi, Jafar Hajavi

• Biomarkers 26 (2021) 8 (December); p. 685-690
• PMID: 34472401
• DOI: 10.1080/1354750X.2021.1976837

Abstract

Background: Nowadays bodybuilders use anabolic steroids frequently. Abuse of these substances can cause significant side effects; therefore, we aim to investigate the effect of anabolic steroids on DNA damage in bodybuilders' blood lymphocytes.

Methods and materials: This case-control study was performed on 36 male bodybuilders in Gonabad. The case group included bodybuilders with a history of taking anabolic-androgenic steroids (n = 18), and the control group composed of bodybuilders who did not use anabolic-androgenic steroids (n = 18). Intravenous blood samples were obtained and then the lymphocytes, cells and electrophoresis of blood were extracted. Afterward, the coloured slides and DNA damage were measured using a fluorescent microscope and CometScore software. The DNA damage was compared using t-tests .

Results: Results showed that there was no significant difference between age, marital status, BMI, systolic and diastolic blood pressure in the case and control group. However, parameters related to the DNA damage including tail length, percent tail DNA, and tail moment were significantly higher in the case group.

Conclusion: The use of anabolic-androgenic steroids increases DNA damage in the bodybuilders' blood lymphocytes.

The effects of growth hormone on body composition and physical performance in recreational athletes: a randomized trial / Udo Meinhardt, Anne E. Nelson, Jennifer L. Hansen, Vita Birzniece, David Clifford, Kin-Chuen Leung, Kenneth Graham, Ken K.Y. Ho. - (Annals of Internal Medicine 152 (2010) 9 (4 May); p. 568-577)

• PMID: 20439575
• DOI: 10.7326/0003-4819-152-9-201005040-00007

Abstract

Background: Growth hormone is widely abused by athletes, frequently with androgenic steroids. Its effects on performance are unclear.

Objective: To determine the effect of growth hormone alone or with testosterone on body composition and measures of performance.

Design: Randomized, placebo-controlled, blinded study of 8 weeks of treatment followed by a 6-week washout period. Randomization was computer-generated with concealed allocation. (Australian-New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry registration number: ACTRN012605000508673)

Setting: Clinical research facility in Sydney, Australia.

Participants: 96 recreationally trained athletes (63 men and 33 women) with a mean age of 27.9 years (SD, 5.7).

Intervention: Men were randomly assigned to receive placebo, growth hormone (2 mg/d subcutaneously), testosterone (250 mg/wk intramuscularly), or combined treatments. Women were randomly assigned to receive either placebo or growth hormone (2 mg/d).

Measurements: Body composition variables (fat mass, lean body mass, extracellular water mass, and body cell mass) and physical performance variables (endurance [maximum oxygen consumption], strength [dead lift], power [jump height], and sprint capacity [Wingate value]).

Results: Body cell mass was correlated with all measures of performance at baseline. Growth hormone significantly reduced fat mass, increased lean body mass through an increase in extracellular water, and increased body cell mass in men when coadministered with testosterone. Growth hormone significantly increased sprint capacity, by 0.71 kJ (95% CI, 0.1 to 1.3 kJ; relative increase, 3.9% [CI, 0.0% to 7.7%]) in men and women combined and by 1.7 kJ (CI, 0.5 to 3.0 kJ; relative increase, 8.3% [CI, 3.0% to 13.6%]) when coadministered with testosterone to men; other performance measures did not significantly change. The increase in sprint capacity was not maintained 6 weeks after discontinuation of the drug.

Limitations: Growth hormone dosage may have been lower than that used covertly by competitive athletes. The athletic significance of the observed improvements in sprint capacity is unclear, and the study was too small to draw conclusions about safety.

Conclusion: Growth hormone supplementation influenced body composition and increased sprint capacity when administered alone and in combination with testosterone.

Primary funding source: The World Anti-Doping Agency.

Dufka F, Galloway G, Baggott M, Mendelson J. The effects of inhaled L-methamphetamine on athletic performance while riding a stationary bike: a randomised placebo-controlled trial. Br J Sports Med. 2009 Oct;43(11):832-5. Epub 2008 Nov 3.