Desmopresssin and hemodilution: implications in doping.

Blood doping improves physical performance in sport. This is the reason why the antidoping authorities subject athletes to blood tests. Plasma volume expanders are prohibited agents used to reduce an artificial increase in hematological values using different illegal practices. The aim of our study was to test whether desmopressin (DDAVP)-induced hemodilution would alter the concentration of hematological parameters used to detect blood doping in sports. This was an intra-subject crossover study. Venous blood samples were obtained from eight physically active males on two occasions. On the first occasion the subjects ingested 1.5 L of mineral water and 4.3 microg/kg of DDAVP. On the second occasion the subjects ingested 1.5 L of mineral water. The samples were analyzed for hematocrit, hemoglobin, reticulocytes, OFF Hr-Score, glucose, albumin, creatinine and total proteins. After treatment with DDAVP we found a significant decrease in the hematocrit, hemoglobin and in the OFF Hr-Score values. We also found a significant decrease in glucose, albumin, creatinine and total proteins concentration; however, in this case, all the values were significantly below the physiological levels. Treatment with DDAVP has a very effective hemodilution effect. We consider that this substance should be included in the WADA's prohibited list.

Effect of intermittent hypoxia on hematological parameters after recombinant human erythropoietin administration.

Recent publications reflect the anti-doping authorities' concern about the use of altitude simulator systems as violating the spirit of sport criterion (Levine 2006; Loland and Murray 2007; Spriggs 2005). The aim of our study was to determine whether intermittent hypoxic treatments could modify the hemoglobin, hematocrit, reticulocytes, and erythropoietic stimulation index (OFF-Hr Score) values after administration of rHuEPO-alpha. Although these hematological parameters are of secondary nature some international sport federations currently exclude athletes who show aberrant values of these parameters from competition. Ten young male Wistar rats were treated, three times a week for 2 weeks, with 500 IU of rHuEPO-alpha. After the treatment, the animals were randomly divided into two groups: normoxic and hypoxic. The normoxic group was maintained at 21% O(2) 24 h a day for 23 days. The hypoxic group was maintained 12 h at 21% O(2) and 12 h at 12% O(2) (~4,000 m) the same time period. After the rHuEPO-alpha treatment, the hypoxic group of animals had a faster recovery rate in the reticulocyte count, elevated concentrations of hemoglobin and hematocrit and a significant increase in the endogenous EPO levels when compared with the normoxic group of animals. These changes led to significant modifications in the OFF-Hr Score between the hypoxic and normoxic animals. Intermittent hypoxic treatments after rHuEPO administration can significantly modify the main hematological parameters tested by the anti-doping authorities. Our results in an animal model suggest checking the described phenomena in humans in order to reach major conclusions.