Potential parameters for the detection of hGH doping

Area of Science:

• Endocrinology
• Sports Science
• Biochemistry

Background:

• Human growth hormone (hGH) is often misused by athletes for performance enhancement.
• Detecting hGH abuse is challenging due to the complex physiological responses and inter-individual variability.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the effects of hGH administration on various serum markers in non-competitive athletes.
• To evaluate the potential of a combination of markers for detecting hGH abuse.

Main Methods:

• Fifteen non-competitive athletes received either hGH (0.06 IU/kg/day) or placebo for 14 days.
• Serum samples were collected pre-treatment, during, and up to 10 weeks post-treatment.
• Concentrations of IGF-I, IGFBP-3, ALS, PIIINP, PINP, osteocalcin, and leptin were measured.

Main Results:

• hGH rapidly increased IGF-I levels, with sustained elevation post-application.
• IGFBP-3 response was less pronounced than IGF-I, showing increases from day 4 to 15.
• PIIINP showed a delayed but prolonged increase (day 4-21), while PINP and osteocalcin had minimal response.
• Leptin levels decreased post-hGH treatment.
• A discriminant function combining markers effectively separated hGH-treated from placebo athletes without false positives.

Conclusions:

• Single serum marker determination is inadequate for detecting hGH abuse.
• A combination of markers, analyzed mathematically, can reliably differentiate hGH administration from placebo.
• The developed discriminant function offers a promising tool for anti-doping efforts.