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Methodologies for detection of hemoglobin-based oxygen carriers.
Catrin Goebel1, Chris Alma, Chris Howe
1Australian Sports Drug Testing Laboratory, National Measurement Institute, 1 Suakin St., Pymble, NSW 2073, Australia.
Journal of Chromatographic Science
|April 6, 2005
Summary
Detecting blood substitutes like hemoglobin-based oxygen carriers (HBOCs) in athletes is crucial for fair play. This study presents simple visual screening and advanced chromatographic methods for identifying HBOC abuse in sports.
Area of Science:
- Sports Science
- Biochemistry
- Analytical Chemistry
Background:
- Blood substitutes, or hemoglobin-based oxygen carriers (HBOCs), are developed as alternatives to donated blood.
- Increased oxygen-carrying capacity from HBOCs could enhance athletic performance, raising concerns about potential doping.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and validate simple, inexpensive methods for detecting HBOC abuse in sports.
- To establish reliable screening and confirmatory tests for exogenous hemoglobin in athletes' plasma.
Main Methods:
- Visual screening of plasma discoloration for initial detection.
- Confirmatory analysis using size-exclusion chromatography with photodiode array detection.
- High-performance liquid chromatography with electrospray mass spectrometry of enzymatic digests for definitive identification.
Main Results:
- Direct visual screening can detect less than 1% HBOC in plasma.
- Chromatographic methods provide unequivocal confirmation of exogenous hemoglobin presence.
- The study demonstrates effective detection strategies for HBOCs.
Conclusions:
- Simple visual screening is a viable initial step for detecting HBOCs.
- Advanced chromatographic techniques offer definitive confirmation of HBOC doping.
- Collaboration between HBOC developers and sports testing labs is essential for timely detection method availability.