Related case:
UWW 2018 UWW vs Aibek Usupov
July 23, 2018

On 3 March 2018, after his defeat in the 3-5 finals of the 2018 Asian Championships, the Kyrgyz Athlete Aibek Usupov was approached by a chaperone and notified for a doping control. The Athlete asked for a moment to calm down after his defeat in that match and did not sign the form. According to the chaperone, who stayed with him all the time after he asked for a moment, the Athlete’s brother Mr Saiakbai Usupov came and told the chaperone that his brother would not provide a sample. The chaperone explained to the Athlete and Mr Saiakbai Usupov what the consequences would be for refusing the test. Despite this warning, Mr Saikbai Usupov persuaded his brother not to pass the test and both the Athlete and Mr Usupov walked away without justification.

Consequently in March 2018 United World Wrestling (UWW) has reported an anti-doping rule violation against the Athlete Aibek Usopov for his refusal to provide a sample. Mr Saiakbai Usupov was charged for complicity due to his involvement in his brother refusal.

After notification a provisional suspension was ordered and Mr Usupov filed a statement in his defence. The UWW Anti-Doping Panel settled this case based on the written submissions of the parties.

As in his brother’s statement of defence, Mr Usupov asserts that there was a confusion between him and his brother’s friend called Ulanbek Osmanaliev. However, the Panel holds that he did not bring any evidence forward to support this allegation nor a statement from Mr Osmanaliev himself which could have exonerated him.

The Panel accepts the detailed reports made by the Doping Control Officers (DCOs) and establish that Mr Usopov actively, aggressively and intentionally encouraged and persuaded his brother to refuse the doping control.

The panel is comfortably satisfied that all elements constituting a violation for complicity are present in this case: Mr Usupov’s physical and psychological conduct falls in the definition of Complicity which covers any intentional conduct which assists another to commit an anti-doping rule violation and meet the standard of proof required by UWW to establish the anti-doping rules violation.

Therefore the UWW Anti-doping panel decides on 24 July 2018 that the wrestler, Mr Saiakbai Usupov:
I.) Is found to have committed an anti-doping rules violation, namely article 2.9 of the Rules;
II.) Is imposed a period of ineligibility of two (2) years, starting from 28 March 2018 until 28 March 2020 included.

In May 2017 the United World Wrestling (UWW) has reported an anti-doping rule violation against the Iranian wrestler Seyed Mostafa S. Salehizadeh after his A and B samples tested positive for the prohibited substance Stanozolol. After notification a provisional suspension was ordered. The Athlete filed a statement in his defence and he was heard for the UWW Anti-Doping Panel.

The Athlete denied the intentional use of the substance and asserted that contaminated supplements caused the positive test. He also raised the hypothesis that an opponent might have sabotaged him during a training camp.

The Panel did not accept the Athlete's assertions and finds that he failed to establish how the prohibited substance entered his system nor producted evidence that supported the possible sabotage by an opponent.

Therefore the UWW Anti-Doping Panel decides on 28 January 2019 to impose a 4 year period of ineligibility on the Athlete starting on the date of the provisional suspension, i.e. on 7 May 2018. Further the Panel decides to impose a CHF 20’000 fine on the Iranian Wresting Federation.

National Anti-Doping Agency of Uzbekistan for 2021 activity reporting information / National Anti-Doping Agency of Uzbekistan (UzNADA). - Toshkent : Ўзбекистон Республикаси Вазирлар Маҳкамаси Ҳузуридаги Миллий Антидопинг Агентлиги, 2022

Validation of a GC/MS method for the detection
of two quinolinone-derived selective androgen receptor
modulators in doping control analysis / E. Gerace, A. Salomone, F. Fasano, Régis Afonso Costa, D. Boschi, A. Di Stilo, Marco Vincenti. - (Analytical and bioanalytical chemistry (2011) 400; p. 137–144)

• PMID: 21165606
• DOI: 10.1007/s00216-010-4569-8

Abstract

Selective androgen receptor modulators (SARMs) represent an emerging class of drugs likely to be abused in sport. For clinical applications, these substances provide a promising alternative to testosterone-replacement therapies and their advantages include oral bioavailability, androgen receptor specificity, tissue selectivity, and the absence of steroid-related side effects. Although not yet commercially available, since January 2008 SARMs have been included on the prohibited list issued yearly by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), so control laboratories need to update their procedures to detect either the parent drugs or their metabolites. Within this context, two quinolinone SARM models were synthesized and automatically characterized to update the existing routine screening procedures. The conditions for the new target analytes are compatible with the existing laboratory protocols used for both in-competition and out-of-competition controls and can be included in them. Validation parameters according to ISO 17025 and WADA guidelines were successfully determined. For analytical determinations, spiked urine samples were hydrolyzed and extracted at pH 9.6 with 10 mL of tert-butyl methyl ether. Then, the analytes were subsequently converted into trimethylsilyl derivatives and detected by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. The absence of interferents, together with excellent repeatability of both retention times and the relative abundances of diagnostic ions, allowed proper identification of all SARM analytes. The analytes' quantification was linear up to 500 ng/mL and precision criteria were satisfied (coefficient of variation less than 25% at 10 ng/mL). The limits of detection were 1 ng/mL for both SARMs, whereas recovery values were between 95.5 and 99.3%. The validated method can be efficiently used for urine screening of the 2-quinolinone-derived SARMs tested.

Validation of a Psychosocial Intervention on Body Image in Older People : An Experimental Design / Roberto Sánchez-Cabrero, Ana C. León-Mejía, Amaya Arigita-García. - (Journal of visualized experiments : JoVE (2021) 171 (31 May); e62506)

• PMID: 34125089
• DOI: 10.3791/62506

Abstract

For most people, body satisfaction is crucial to develop both a positive self-concept and self-esteem, and therefore, it can influence mental health and well-being. This idea has been tested with younger people, but no studies explore whether body image interventions are useful when people age. This research validates a specific program designed for older people (IMAGINA Specific Body Image Program). This is done by employing a mixed experimental design, with between-subject and within-subject comparisons that focus on body satisfaction before and after experimental treatment, comparing two groups. Using this experimental methodology makes it possible to identify the effect of the intervention in a group of 176 people. The score obtained with the Body Shape Questionnaire (BSQ) was the dependent variable, and the IMAGINA program was the independent one. As for age, gender, relationship status, season, and residence environment, these were controlled variables. There were significant differences in body satisfaction between the two programs, obtaining better results with IMAGINA. The controlled variables had a much less significant effect than the treatment. Therefore, it is possible to improve body satisfaction in older adults through interventions similar to the one presented here.

Validation of an Ultra-Sensitive Detection Method for Steroid Esters in Plasma for Doping Analysis Using Positive Chemical Ionization GC-MS/MS / Pieter Van Renterghem, Wouter Viaene, Wim Van Gansbeke, Juliana Barrabin, Michele Iannone, Michael Polet, Guy T'Sjoen, Koen Deventer, Peter Van Eenoo. - (Journal of Chromatography B 1141 (2020) 122026 (15 March)).

• PMID: 32109748
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jchromb.2020.122026

Abstract

The standard approach to detect misuse with testosterone in sport is based on the determination and evaluation of the urinary steroid profile followed by the confirmation of atypical profiles using isotope ratio mass spectrometry. The detection capacity of these methods can be attenuated by confounding factors or testosterone preparations with endogenous isotopic fingerprints. An alternative detection method for misuse of an endogenous steroid in sports is the direct detection of the administered steroid ester present in most preparations. Thus unambiguous proof for doping misuse can be delivered. In this work, the sensitivity of gas chromatography coupled to a triple quadrupole with chemical ionization (GC-CI-MS/MS) is applied to detect trace levels of 10 testosterone and 2 nandrolone esters in plasma for in human doping analysis. The detection method was developed employing a liquid-liquid extraction and HPLC cleanup step before analysis on the GC-CI-MS/MS. The quantitative method was validated in a linear range of 100-2000 pg/ml and proved to be selective, reproducible and very sensitive with limits of detection as low as to 10 pg/ml. A clinical study with the administration of testosterone undecanoate in 3 volunteers was carried out and the compound was detectable up to 86 days after administration.

Validation of whole-blood transcriptome signature during microdose recombinant human erythropoietin (rHuEpo) administration / Guan Wang, Jérôme Durussel, Jonathan Shurlock, Martin Mooses, Noriyuki Fuku, Georgie Bruinvels, Charles Pedlar, Richard Burden, Andrew Murray, Brendan Yee, Anne Keenan, John D. McClure, Pierre-Edouard Sottas, Yannis P. Pitsiladis. - (BMC Genomics 18 (2017) Supplement 8 (17 November); p. 67-113)

• PMID: 29143667
• PMCID: PMC5688496
• DOI: 10.1186/s12864-017-4191-7

Abstract

Background: Recombinant human erythropoietin (rHuEpo) can improve human performance and is therefore frequently abused by athletes. As a result, the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) introduced the Athlete Biological Passport (ABP) as an indirect method to detect blood doping. Despite this progress, challenges remain to detect blood manipulations such as the use of microdoses of rHuEpo.

Methods: Forty-five whole-blood transcriptional markers of rHuEpo previously derived from a high-dose rHuEpo administration trial were used to assess whether microdoses of rHuEpo could be detected in 14 trained subjects and whether these markers may be confounded by exercise (n = 14 trained subjects) and altitude training (n = 21 elite runners and n = 4 elite rowers, respectively). Differential gene expression analysis was carried out following normalisation and significance declared following application of a 5% false discovery rate (FDR) and a 1.5 fold-change. Adaptive model analysis was also applied to incorporate these markers for the detection of rHuEpo.

Results: ALAS2, BCL2L1, DCAF12, EPB42, GMPR, SELENBP1, SLC4A1, TMOD1 and TRIM58 were differentially expressed during and throughout the post phase of microdose rHuEpo administration. The CD247 and TRIM58 genes were significantly up- and down-regulated, respectively, immediately following exercise when compared with the baseline both before and after rHuEpo/placebo. No significant gene expression changes were found 30 min after exercise in either rHuEpo or placebo groups. ALAS2, BCL2L1, DCAF12, SLC4A1, TMOD1 and TRIM58 tended to be significantly expressed in the elite runners ten days after arriving at altitude and one week after returning from altitude (FDR > 0.059, fold-change varying from 1.39 to 1.63). Following application of the adaptive model, 15 genes showed a high sensitivity (≥ 93%) and specificity (≥ 71%), with BCL2L1 and CSDA having the highest sensitivity (93%) and specificity (93%).

Conclusions: Current results provide further evidence that transcriptional biomarkers can strengthen the ABP approach by significantly prolonging the detection window and improving the sensitivity and specificity of blood doping detection. Further studies are required to confirm, and if necessary, integrate the confounding effects of altitude training on blood doping.

Value of measuring muscle performance to assess changes in lean mass with testosterone and growth hormone supplementation / E. Todd Schroeder, Jiaxiu He, Kevin E. Yarasheski, Ellen F. Binder, Carmen Castaneda-Sceppa, Shalender Bhasin, Christina M Dieli-Conwright, Miwa Kawakubo, Ronenn Roubenoff, Stanley P. Azen, Fred R. Sattler. - (European Journal of Applied Physiology 112 (2012) 3 (March); p. 1123-1131)

• PMID: 21748366
• PMCID: PMC3448487
• DOI: 10.1007/s00421-011-2077-y

Abstract

We hypothesized that treatment with testosterone (T) and recombinant human growth hormone (rhGH) would increase lean mass (LM) and muscle strength proportionally and an in a linear manner over 16 weeks. This was a multicenter, randomized, controlled, double-masked investigation of T and rhGH supplementation in older (71 ± 4 years) community-dwelling men. Participants received transdermal T at either 5 or 10 g/day as well as rhGH at 0, 3.0 or 5.0 μg/kg/day for 16 weeks. Body composition was determined by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) and muscle performance by composite one-repetition maximum (1-RM) strength and strength per unit of lean mass (muscle quality, MQ) for five major muscle groups (upper and lower body) at baseline, week 8 and 17. The average change in total LM at study week 8 compared with baseline was 1.50 ± 1.54 kg (P < 0.0001) in the T only group and 2.64 ± 1.7 (P < 0.0001) in the T + rhGH group and at week 17 was 1.46 ± 1.48 kg (P < 0.0001) in the T only group and 2.14 ± 1.96 kg (P < 0.0001) in the T + rhGH group. 1-RM strength improved modestly in both groups combined (12.0 ± 23.9%, P < 0.0001) at week 8 but at week 17 these changes were twofold greater (24.7 ± 31.0%, P < 0.0001). MQ did not significantly change from baseline to week 8 but increased for the entire cohort, T only, and T + rhGH groups by week 17 (P < 0.001). Despite sizeable increases in LM measurements at week 8, tests of muscle performance did not show substantive improvements at this time point.

Variability and dilemmas in harm reduction for anabolic steroid users in the UK: a multi-area interview study / Andreas Kimergård, Jim McVeigh. - (Harm Reduction Journal 11 (2014) 19 (2 July); p. 1-13)

• PMID: 24986546
• PMCID: PMC4098923
• DOI: 10.1186/1477-7517-11-19

Abstract

Background: The UK continues to experience a rise in the number of anabolic steroid-using clients attending harm reduction services such as needle and syringe programmes.

Methods: The present study uses interviews conducted with harm reduction service providers as well as illicit users of anabolic steroids from different areas of England and Wales to explore harm reduction for this group of drug users, focussing on needle distribution policies and harm reduction interventions developed specifically for this population of drug users.

Results: The article addresses the complexity of harm reduction service delivery, highlighting different models of needle distribution, such as peer-led distribution networks, as well as interventions available in steroid clinics, including liver function testing of anabolic steroid users. Aside from providing insights into the function of interventions available to steroid users, along with principles adopted by service providers, the study found significant tensions and dilemmas in policy implementation due to differing perspectives between service providers and service users relating to practices, risks and effective interventions.

Conclusion: The overarching finding of the study was the tremendous variability across harm reduction delivery sites in terms of available measures and mode of operation. Further research into the effectiveness of different policies directed towards people who use anabolic steroids is critical to the development of harm reduction.

Hein Verbruggen - Circ / Hein Verbruggen. - 2014

Hein Verbruggen (1941-2017), former International Cycling Union (UCI), states what in his opinion has occurred:

1.) The UCI has been – since the outstart some 50 years ago – and still is one of the forerunners of anti-doping;

2.) As regards my period as President from 1992 to 2005, I guarantee that there has never been a positive doping case that has not been treated according to the rules, nor has there been a policy of favouring riders or teams. The antidoping activities of the UCI were in the hands of persons of the highest ethical standards (professionals as well as volunteers);

3.) The poor image of cycling in terms of anti-doping is based on a wrong perception rather than on facts (by which I do not mean to play down the doping problem in cycling as shown by scandals such as Festina and Puerto and the many riders found positive by the UCI). The WADA and in particular its previous President Mr R. Pound have largely contributed to shaping that negative perception by means of an ongoing smear campaign often based upon sheer lies and false allegations. It is my conviction (and not only mine!) that Mr Pound has personal reasons of revenge;

4.) Mr Pound is to a large extent personally responsible for the fact that the WADA is a poorly performing anti-doping agency with a very low success record. The WADA’s performance has come under heavy criticism within the Olympic Movement. Mr Pound and the WADA’s management follow since years a mostly unreasonable and unjustified “naming and shaming” policy to keep away the attention of the WADA’s own failures. Especially the UCI and Cycling, also in the Lance Armstrong case (!), were used as scapegoats.

These items are treated and documented in this report.