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Current strategies of blood doping detection
Torben Pottgiesser1, Yorck Olaf Schumacher
1Department of Sports Medicine, University Hospital of Freiburg, 79106, Freiburg, Germany, torben.pottgiesser@uniklinik-freiburg.de.
Analytical and Bioanalytical Chemistry
|August 13, 2013
Summary
Blood doping, or artificially increasing red blood cells, significantly impacts endurance sports performance. Detecting this requires direct methods for stimulants/transfusions and indirect methods like the athlete biological passport, especially for autologous transfusions.
Area of Science:
- Sports Science
- Biochemistry
- Forensic Science
Background:
- Blood doping, the artificial enhancement of red blood cell volume, has profoundly influenced endurance sports performance over the past 30 years.
- Numerous doping scandals highlight the pervasive nature and significant impact of blood doping in athletic competitions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review and discuss the various methods employed for the detection of blood doping in athletes.
- To explore emerging technologies and future strategies for improving the identification of blood doping practices.
Main Methods:
- Direct detection methods, including isoelectric focusing for erythropoietic stimulants and flow cytometry for homologous transfusions.
- Indirect detection methods, primarily the athlete biological passport, to identify autologous transfusions and stimulant effects.
- Advanced techniques utilizing high-throughput 'omics' (proteomics/metabolomics) and mathematical approaches for biomarker analysis.
Main Results:
- Direct methods effectively identify exogenous stimulants and homologous transfusions.
- Indirect methods, such as the athlete biological passport, are crucial for detecting autologous transfusions.
- Novel 'omics' technologies and integrated biomarker analysis offer enhanced potential for uncovering sophisticated doping schemes.
Conclusions:
- A multi-faceted approach combining direct and indirect detection methods is essential for comprehensive anti-doping efforts.
- Future strategies should focus on leveraging data through pattern recognition algorithms and integrating diverse information sources for a robust forensic approach.
- Continuous development and application of advanced analytical techniques are vital to stay ahead of evolving blood doping practices.
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