1References: http://biology.kenyon.edu/BMB/Chime2/2004/eryth/FRAMES/start.htm
Liv Hayward ([email protected])
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The hormone itself
Clinical Uses of EPO
Side Effects of Clinical Use
Misuse of EPO in sport
Risks of Misuse
Detection
Summary
‘Describe how Erthyropoietin (EPO) may be ‘abused’ by athletes seeking to enhance their performances.’
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Increases the O2 carrying capacity of blood
Stimulates the production of O2 carrying erythrocytes
Naturally synthesised in the kidney and in macrophages
Has a short half life
References: www.fi.edu/learn/heart/blood/red.html, (Rang et al., (2007)
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2 recombined human forms – Epoetin α and β
Can be given intravenously or subcutaneously
Darbopoietin is a hyperglycosylated form and can be administered less frequently due to a longer t½
References: www.pharmaceutical-technology.com/contractor_images/one2one/3-injection.jpg, Rang et al. (2007)
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1. Treatment of Anaemia Related to: Chronic renal failure Chemotherapy for cancer AIDS Chronic inflammatory conditions (e.g. rheumatoid
arthritis) Premature infants
2. Increase yield of autologous blood before blood donation
References: Rang et al. (2007)
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Passing flu-like symptoms
Increased blood viscosity
Hypertension leading to encephalopathy
Iron deficiency
References: Rang et al. (2007)
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Reduces fatigue (by increasing O2 levels in blood)
Used mainly by athletes in endurance sports
Recombinant human form most used
Difficult to detect
References: Rang et al. (2007), Big Blade Photography (2009)
Cardiff Uni Rowing Club Women's Senior VIII
This picture demonstrates the toughness of some sports – making sport easier is a tempting option for some athletes However, I don’t use EPO!
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Taken over from another form of ‘blood doping’ – removal of 1-2 litres of blood followed by retransfusion
Injection of EPO provides an instant effect
Officially prohibited by the World Anti-Doping Agency
References: Rang et al. (2007), The World Anti-Doping Code (2009)
EPO increases the haematocrit (which is normally around 40%)
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Increased blood viscosity
Hypertension
Increased risk of stroke
Increased risk of coronary attacks
Risk of disqualification from competition
References: Rang et al. (2007)
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The drug has a short plasma half life so detection is difficult
Lab-synthesised form similar to naturally occurring form
Urine test directly detects normal EPO levels versus synthetic EPO levels
Use of blood plasma markers for indirect detection
o Athletes banned if found to have haematocrit above 50%
References: Robinson et al. (2006), Rang et al. (2007)
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Blood doping using EPO has become more common
Ways to ensure a negative EPO test have increased
Further research into better detection methods is ongoing
Future - should EPO use be allowed in sport? ... Probably not but the debate continues!
References: Rang et al. (2007), sportsanddrugs.procon.org/viewanswers.asp?questionID=001212
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Images: biology.kenyon.edu/BMB/Chime2/2004/eryth/FRAMES/start.htm www.fi.edu/learn/heart/blood/red.html www.pharmaceutical-technology.com/contractor_images/one2one/3-injection.jpg Big Blade Photography (2009) www.bigblade.net
Info:• The World Anti-Doping Code (2009) Prohibited List• www.rice.edu/~jenky/sports/epo.html• Rang, HP., Dale, MM., Ritter, JM., Flower, RJ., (2009) Rang and Dale’s Pharmacology, p768-769• Robinson N, Giraud S, Saudan C, Baume N, Avois L, Mangin P, Saugy M, (2006) Erythropoietin and Blood Doping, British Journal of Sports Medicine 2006, 40 (1), p30-34• Kumar, P and Clark, M. (2004) Clinical Medicine, p525, 356• sportsanddrugs.procon.org/