In the realm of sports, the constant struggle between athletes seeking a chemical advantage and the anti-doping agencies aiming to catch them has persisted. Among the oldest forms of modern doping, the use of androgens remains a challenging area for detection. Carbon isotope ratio analysis (GC-IRMS), once considered a potent tool against doping, is losing its efficacy as underground labs produce nandrolone and testosterone with carbon isotope ratios resembling those found in naturally occurring counterparts.
As the analytical chemistry methods evolve to catch athletes using androgens, the agencies responsible for maintaining fairness in sports regularly publish their methodologies. This transparency, however, becomes a double-edged sword, as clever individuals exploit these methods, making it a matter of time before detection catches up. For instance, some athletes strategically administer epitestosterone (E) along with testosterone (T) to maintain a believable T/E ratio and avoid additional testing.
Gas chromatography coupled to isotope ratio mass spectrometry (GC-IRMS) has been a prominent method to distinguish endogenous androgens from exogenous ones. By measuring the carbon isotope ratio of testosterone and nandrolone, the method aims to identify whether these substances are produced internally or externally. The C13/C12 ratio, indicative of endogenous production, differs from synthetically produced steroids, often derived from soy phytosterols.
However, athletes seeking to outsmart the system have turned to alternative sources, such as CAM (crassulacean acid metabolism) plants, which use both C3 and C4 pathways. Unlike traditional soy-derived steroids, CAM plants yield a carbon isotope ratio more consistent with natural human production, complicating the detection process. Some suggest agave and sapogenins within CAM plants as potential source materials for steroid synthesis.
A recent study revealed that individuals flagged for drug use predominantly showed nandrolone use with an endogenous carbon isotope ratio profile. Despite this, the study also highlighted that alternative methods, like nandrolone metabolite levels and endogenous reference compounds, could still catch or flag these individuals for further investigation. The cat-and-mouse game in the world of anti-doping persists, with athletes devising increasingly sophisticated methods to avoid detection and maintain their competitive edge.
