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Doping and thrombosis in sports
Giuseppe Lippi1, Giuseppe Banfi
1UO Diagnostica Ematochimica, Dipartimento di Patologia e Medicina di Laboratorio, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Parma, Parma, Italy. giuseppe.lippi@univr.it
Seminars in Thrombosis and Hemostasis
|December 27, 2011
Summary
Doping in sports, particularly using androgenic anabolic steroids and blood boosting, is linked to serious thrombotic complications like heart attack and stroke. Understanding these risks is crucial for athlete safety and fair play in sports.
Area of Science:
- Sports Medicine
- Cardiovascular Science
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Athletes use ergogenic aids to enhance performance, leading to a blurred line between aids and doping.
- Doping substances can cause adverse effects, including cardiovascular and behavioral imbalances.
- Thrombotic events are a significant concern associated with certain doping practices.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the epidemiological links between sports doping and thrombosis.
- To explore the biochemical and biological mechanisms underlying doping-induced thrombosis.
- To differentiate between established and speculative thrombotic risks of various doping agents.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of epidemiological studies on doping and thrombosis.
- Analysis of biochemical and biological pathways involved in doping-related thrombotic events.
- Categorization of doping agents based on their association with thrombosis.
Main Results:
- Androgenic anabolic steroids are strongly associated with major thrombotic events (e.g., myocardial infarction, stroke, venous thromboembolism).
- Blood boosting (e.g., epoetin) also shows a significant link to venous thromboembolism and myocardial infarction.
- Thrombotic risks for other doping agents like cortisol or growth hormone are largely speculative.
Conclusions:
- Sports doping, especially with anabolic steroids and blood boosters, poses a substantial risk for thrombotic complications.
- Understanding the mechanisms of doping-induced thrombosis is vital for prevention and athlete health.
- The perceived fairness and safety of ergogenic aids require careful consideration due to potential severe health consequences.
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