Abuse of Growth Hormone Among Young Athletes

Buzzini, Sergio R.

doi:10.1016/j.pcl.2007.07.002

Cited by 14 publications

(10 citation statements)

References 192 publications

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“…Lipolytic and anabolic activities of human Growth Hormone (hGH) render GH an ergogenic and performance-enhancing substance approached by some professional athletes and adolescents participating in sports [1,2]. Since the appearance in 1981 of rhGH for the treatment of children and adults with growth disorders or GH-deficient diseases, its expansion and availability through the black market has increased [3] and currently is classified as a prohibited substance on the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) Prohibited list [4].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Genetic and protein biomarkers in blood for the improved detection of GH abuse

Ferro

Ventura

Pérez‐Mañá

et al. 2016

Journal of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Analysis

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Human Growth Hormone (hGH, somatotropin) is one of the relevant forbidden substances to be detected in sport drug testing. Since the appearance of recombinant hGH (rhGH) in the 80's, its expansion and availability through the black market have increased, so the detection of its abuse continues to be a challenge at present. New techniques or biomarkers that are robust, reliable, sensitive and allowing a large detection time window are welcome. rhGH produces an increase of insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1). FN1 (fibronectin 1) and RAB31 (member of RAS oncogene family) genes have been suggested as two potential biomarkers for IGF-1 abuse. Following this line, in the present study some genetic and proteomic approaches have been performed with fourteen healthy male subjects treated with rhGH (which produces increase of IGF-1 concentrations) to study FN1 gene, FN1 protein, RAB31 gene and RAB31 protein as potential biomarkers for rhGH abuse. The results showed that both, RAB31 and FN1 genes and FN1 protein could be potential biomarkers for rhGH administration. Preliminary assessments of gender, age, acute sport activities and GHRP-2 (pralmorelin, a rhGH releasing peptide) influence suggest they are not relevant confounding factors. Thus, the selected markers present high sensitivity and a larger detection window for rhGH detection than IGF-1 itself.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Genetic and protein biomarkers in blood for the improved detection of GH abuse

Ferro

Ventura

Pérez‐Mañá

et al. 2016

Journal of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Analysis

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“…A comprehensive review of adverse effects reported with supraphysiological GH levels is available in Buzzini 2007 and a summary of this has been provided in Table 1 64. In addition to the health risks directly associated with the use of excess GH, there are additional risks associated with contamination if the GH is often sourced illegally.…”

Section: Health Risks Related To Gh Abusementioning

confidence: 99%

Growth hormone doping: a review

Erotokritou‐Mulligan

Holt²,

Sönksen³

2011

OAJSM

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The use of growth hormone (GH) as a performance enhancing substance was first promoted in lay publications, long before scientists fully acknowledged its benefits. It is thought athletes currently use GH to enhance their athletic performance and to accelerate the healing of sporting injuries. Over recent years, a number of high profile athletes have admitted to using GH. To date, there is only limited and weak evidence for its beneficial effects on performance. Nevertheless the “hype” around its effectiveness and the lack of a foolproof detection methodology that will detect its abuse longer than 24 hours after the last injection has encouraged its widespread use. This article reviews the current evidence of the ergogenic effects of GH along with the risks associated with its use. The review also examines methodologies, both currently available and in development for detecting its abuse.

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“…Although there has been considerable debate about the performance enhancing properties of GH [22], as it turns out, Duchaine's initial observations were almost certainly correct as recent studies have shown that GH exerts a performance benefit in abstinent anabolic steroid users as well as healthy older men [23,24] The most famous case of GH abuse in professional athletics came to light in 1988 following Ben Johnson's amazing win in the 100 m final at the Olympic Games in Seoul. After his subsequent disqualification when stanazolol was detected in his urine, both he and his coach Charley Francis admitted under oath at a later hearing that he had taken human GH in addition to anabolic steroids perhaps explaining how he managed to develop such deltoids [25,26].…”

Section: Growth Hormone Dopingmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In a survey of two US high schools, 5% of male students admitted to having taken GH and nearly one-third knew someone who had taken GH [26]. Most GH users were unaware of its side effects and reported their first use between 14 and 15 years of age.…”

Section: Growth Hormone Dopingmentioning

confidence: 99%