Doping Control Analysis of Methylsulfonylmethane in Horses

Methylsulfonylmethane (MSM), also known as dimethyl sulfone, is a naturally occurring sulphur-containing compound that can be found in plants, animals and humans. MSM can also be a metabolite of dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO). Due to their anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects, both MSM and DMSO are prohibited substances in horseracing. As both substances are naturally occurring, their misuse in horses is controlled by International Residue Limits (IRL) of 1200 and 15 μg/mL, respectively, in horse urine as established by the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities. The elimination of DMSO in horses has been reported; however, there has been no report on the elimination of MSM in horses. This paper describes a pilot study of an administration study of MSM in two geldings following one scoop (~15 g) of Pure MSM twice daily for six consecutive days. MSM in post-administration urine and blood samples was quantified by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry after sample dilution, with additional protein precipitation for the blood samples. The elimination profiles of MSM in urine and blood are described. The maximum detection time in urine at the IRL of 1200 μg/mL was around 4.5 days after the last dose. Plasma MSM in both horses was around 120 μg/mL at 4.4 days after the last dose, which was the last blood sample collected. As such, 120 μg/mL may indicate a possible IRL for controlling MSM in horse blood. The analysis of DMSO in post-MSM-administration samples showed that DMSO is not a significant metabolite of MSM in horses.