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Plasma volume expanders: use in medicine and detecting misuse in sports
Ruth E Simoni1, Fernanda B Scalco, Maria Lucia C de Oliveira
1Laboratório de Erros Inatos do Metabolismo (LABEIM), Departamento de Bioquímica, Instituto de Química - Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), Av. Athos da Silveira Ramos 149, Lab. 236-C, Rio de Janeiro RJ. CEP- 21941-909, Brazil. ruthellen@iq.ufrj.br
Abstract:
Plasma volume expanders comprise a heterogeneous group of substances used in medicine that are intravenously administered in cases of great blood loss owing to surgery or medical emergency. These substances, however, can also be used to artificially enhance performance of healthy athletes in sport activities, and to mask the presence of others substances. These practices are considered doping, and are therefore prohibited by the International Olympic Committee and the World Antidoping Agency. Consequently, drug testing procedures are essential. The present work provides an overview of plasma volume expanders, assembling pertinent data such as chemical characteristics, physiological aspects, adverse effects, doping and analytical detection methods, which are currently dispersed in the literature.
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