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Published on: September 20, 2016
HILIC-MS/MS Detection of Meldonium in Meat from Emidonol-Treated Calves and Volunteer Urine After Consumption: An
Pavel V Postnikov1, Yulia A Efimova2
1National Anti-Doping Laboratory (Institute), Lomonosov Moscow State University (NADL MSU), Moscow, Russia.
Abstract:
A pilot study was conducted to detect meldonium in raw meat samples from young calves slaughtered 15 and 30 days (n = 3 per time-point) after a 15-day course of Emidonol. Meldonium concentration was also assessed in meat samples after cooking before consumption, as well as in urine samples from volunteers after consuming a single 350 g portion of cooked meat. Urine was collected over 48 h. The maximum mean estimated meldonium concentrations in raw meat samples were 5250 ng/g on the 15th day after drug treatment and 3110 ng/g on the 30th day after drug treatment. The mean estimated meldonium concentrations in medium-rare steak cooked for 10 min (15 days after the course) and baked meat were 2960 and 1970 ng/g, respectively; for the "30-day" samples, these values were 1380 and 760 ng/g. The mean maximum estimated urine meldonium concentrations, which peaked at 2-5 h post-consumption, were 386 and 344 ng/mL for the "15-day" meat, and 258 and 219 ng/mL for the "30-day" meat, respectively. Thus, after eating meat samples contaminated with Emidonol, meldonium can be detected in urine 24-28 h post-consumption; during the first 2-14 h, its concentration can be even higher than the WADA MRPL level, which may result in an inadvertent adverse analytical finding for meldonium in sports drug testing.
Insights
This study shows meldonium (Emidonol) is detectable in calf meat and can lead to positive urine tests in athletes. Even after cooking, meldonium residues may exceed WADA limits, causing inadvertent doping violations.
Area of Science:
- Food Safety
- Analytical Chemistry
- Sports Science
Background:
- Meldonium (Emidonol) is a prohibited substance in sports.
- Understanding meldonium residue persistence in food products is crucial for anti-doping efforts.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate meldonium detection in raw and cooked calf meat.
- To assess meldonium concentration in human urine after consuming contaminated meat.
- To evaluate the risk of inadvertent positive doping tests.
Main Methods:
- Pilot study involving calves treated with Emidonol.
- Analysis of meldonium in raw and cooked meat samples (15 and 30 days post-treatment).
- Urine analysis from volunteers consuming cooked meat portions.
Main Results:
- Meldonium was detected in raw and cooked meat at significant concentrations.
- Cooked meat still contained meldonium, with levels varying by cooking method.
- Meldonium was detectable in urine for up to 28 hours post-consumption, potentially exceeding WADA limits.
Conclusions:
- Consuming meat from Emidonol-treated calves can lead to meldonium detection in urine.
- This poses a risk of inadvertent adverse analytical findings in sports drug testing.
- Further research is needed to establish safe consumption limits and refine anti-doping detection protocols.
