Detection of Δ9‐tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) in oral fluid using two point‐of‐collection testing devices following oral administration of a THC and cannabidiol containing oil
In this study, we showed relatively poor sensitivity of two commonly used POCT devices at short time intervals after a single evening dose of a THC- and CBD-containing oil. We also showed a very low probability of obtaining a positive THC result the morning. Further research is necessary to establish the probability of obtaining a positive THC result with regular medicinal cannabis use. AbstractPoint-of-collection testing (POCT) devices are widely used in roadside and workplace drug testing to identify recent cannabis use by measuring the presence of Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) in oral fluid (OF). However, the performan...
Source: Drug Testing and Analysis - February 29, 2024 Category: Drugs & Pharmacology Authors: Anastasia Suraev,
Danielle McCartney,
Richard Kevin,
Rebecca Gordon,
Ronald R. Grunstein,
Camilla M. Hoyos,
Iain S. McGregor Tags: RESEARCH ARTICLE Source Type: research
Gene doping detection in the era of genomics
Gene doping is an emerging risk in sport due to fast development of gene editing technologies, and detection techniques are strongly needed to ensure competition fairness and health of athletes. In this paper, the authors summarize current tools for gene doping detection, highlight main challenges, and elaborate future utilizations of high-throughput sequencing for unbiased, sensitive, economic and large-scale gene doping detections. AbstractRecent progress in gene editing has enabled development of gene therapies for many genetic diseases, but also made gene doping an emerging risk in sports and competitions. By delivery ...
Source: Drug Testing and Analysis - February 26, 2024 Category: Drugs & Pharmacology Authors: Ruihong Li,
Peipei Su,
Yi Shi,
Hui Shi,
Shengqian Ding,
Xianbin Su,
Peijie Chen,
Die Wu Tags: REVIEW ARTICLE Source Type: research
Mexidol, Cytoflavin, and succinic acid derivatives as antihypoxic, anti ‐ischemic metabolic modulators, and ergogenic aids in athletes and consideration of their potential as performance enhancing drugs
The lines between performance enhancement and therapeutic drugs have narrowed in modern times, and it is more difficult than ever to determine when substance crosses the line and is doping agents. Succinate-based drugs as Mexidol and Cytoflavin are antihypoxic, anti-ischemic aids – have similar biological effects as prohibited by WADA metabolic modulators, meldonium and trimetazidine. The role of Mexidol, Cytoflavin as antihypoxant agents is associated with impact on the Krebs cycle, oxidative phosphorylation and ATP production, expression of hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF) . AbstractEmoxypine (ethylmethylhydroxypyridine)...
Source: Drug Testing and Analysis - February 26, 2024 Category: Drugs & Pharmacology Authors: Karol J ędrejko,
Oliver Catlin,
Timothy Stewart,
Bożena Muszyńska Tags: REVIEW ARTICLE Source Type: research
Homologous blood transfusion and doping: Where are we now?
This review is an overview of the methods to detect homologous blood transfusion (HBT) used for doping: flow cytometry and DNA analysis for direct detection and hematological module of the Athlete Biological Passport for indirect detection. Despite high specificity, detection of HBT by DNA analysis was recently challenged in vivo for its sensitivity. With recent technical progress, the flow cytometry method remains the method of choice with an improved sensitivity. AbstractHomologous blood transfusion (HBT) is used for doping in endurance sports since the 1960s. The blood comes from a compatible donor, that is, someone wit...
Source: Drug Testing and Analysis - February 26, 2024 Category: Drugs & Pharmacology Authors: Alexandre Marchand,
Magnus Ericsson Tags: REVIEW ARTICLE Source Type: research
EMCDDA framework and practical guidance for naming cathinones
AbstractCathinones are often sold as “legal” alternatives to controlled stimulants such as amphetamine, MDMA and cocaine. Cathinones are the second largest group of new psychoactive substances (NPS), with close to 170 monitored by the European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction (EMCDDA). Although all cathinones are rela ted to the parent compound cathinone, one of the psychoactive principles in khat, assigning consistent, informative and user-friendly common names to these substances is challenging. Over time different naming approaches have been applied, leading to cathinones being known by several names. ...
Source: Drug Testing and Analysis - February 23, 2024 Category: Drugs & Pharmacology Authors: Benedikt Pulver,
Svenja Fischmann,
Ana Gallegos,
Rachel Christie Tags: PERSPECTIVE Source Type: research
mRNA biomarkers sensitive and specific to micro ‐dose erythropoietin treatment at sea level and altitude
This study investigated whether 5 ′-aminolevulinate synthase 2 (ALAS2) and carbonic anhydrase 1 (CA1) in capillary dried blood spots (DBSs) are sensitive and specific markers of rhEPO treatment at altitude.ALAS2 andCA1 expression was monitored in DBS collected weekly before, during, and after a 3-week period at sea level or altitude. Participants were randomly assigned to receive 20 IU kg bw−1 epoetin alpha (rhEPO) or placebo injections every second day for 3 weeks while staying at sea level (rhEPO,n = 25; placebo,n = 9) or altitude (rhEPO,n = 12; placebo,n = 27).ALAS2 andCA1 expression increased...
Source: Drug Testing and Analysis - February 22, 2024 Category: Drugs & Pharmacology Authors: Francesco Loria,
Andreas Breenfeldt Andersen,
Jacob Bejder,
Thomas Bonne,
Silke Grabherr,
Tiia Kuuranne,
Nicolas Leuenberger,
Nikolai Baastrup Nordsborg Tags: RESEARCH ARTICLE Source Type: research
Development and validation of a liquid chromatography –tandem mass spectrometry (LC–MS/MS) method including 25 novel synthetic opioids in hair and subsequent analysis of a Swiss opioid consumer cohort
This study investigated the prevalence and abuse patterns of novel synthetic opioids (NSOs) among Swiss opioid users by means of a validated LC –MS/MS-based hair analysis method. Among a cohort of 439 Swiss opioid users, a positivity rate for NSOs of 2.5% was found, including NSOs such as butyrylfentanyl or acrylfentanyl. These findings contribute to the development of appropriate public health and policy measures to mitigate the risks as sociated with NSO abuse. AbstractMajor public health concern is raised by the evidence that common drugs like heroin are now frequently laced or replaced with highly potent novel synthe...
Source: Drug Testing and Analysis - February 21, 2024 Category: Drugs & Pharmacology Authors: Max Polke,
Marta Concheiro,
Gail Cooper,
Christian Bogdal,
Markus R. Baumgartner,
Thomas Kr ämer,
Tina M. Binz Tags: RESEARCH ARTICLE Source Type: research
Elimination profile of low ‐dose chlortalidone and its detection in hair for doping analysis—Implication for unintentional non‐therapeutic exposure
An elimination of low-dose chlortalidone and hydrochlorothiazide (HCTA) was conducted on five consecutive days in two volunteers. The urine concentrations were measured by LC –MS/MS. The chlortalidone concentration 10 days after the last ingestion of a sub-therapeutic dose would have still caused an adverse analytical finding in an athlete's sample. Moreover, chlortalidone was quantified in hair; the respective incorporation is most likely mediated by sweat or sebum. AbstractChlortalidone (CLT) is a thiazide-type diuretic with high affinity for the erythrocyte carbonic anhydrase. Therapeutically, it is mostly used to t...
Source: Drug Testing and Analysis - February 20, 2024 Category: Drugs & Pharmacology Authors: Detlef Thieme,
Kai Weigel,
Patricia Anielski,
Aniko Krumbholz,
Frank Sporkert,
Annekathrin M. Keiler Tags: SHORT COMMUNICATION Source Type: research
