Metabolomics profiling of xenobiotics in elite athletes: relevance to supplement consumption

Abstract

BackgroundSupplements are widely used among elite athletes to maintain health and improve performance. Despite multiple studies investigating use of dietary supplements by athletes, a comprehensive profiling of serum supplement metabolites in elite athletes is still lacking. This study aims to analyze the presence of various xenobiotics in serum samples from elite athletes of different sports, focusing on metabolites that potentially originate from nutritional supplements.MethodsProfiling of xenobiotics in serum samples from 478 elite athletes from different sports (football, athletics, cycling, rugby, swimming, boxing and rowing) was performed using non-targeted metabolomics-based mass spectroscopy combined with ultrahigh-performance liquid chromatography. Multivariate analysis was performed using orthogonal partial least squares discriminant analysis. Differences in metabolic levels among different sport groups were identified by univariate linear models.ResultsOut of the 102 detected xenobiotics, 21 were significantly different among sport groups including metabolites that potentially prolong exercise tolerance (caffeic acid), carry a nootropic effect (2-pyrrolidinone), exert a potent anti-oxidant effect (eugenol, ferulic acid 4 sulfate, thioproline, retinol), or originate from drugs for different types of injuries (ectoine, quinate). Using Gaussian graphical modelling, a metabolic network that links various sport group-associated xenobiotics was constructed to further understand their metabolic pathways.ConclusionsThis pilot data provides evidence that athletes from different sports exhibit a distinct xenobiotic profile that may reflect their drug/supplement use, diet and exposure to various chemicals. Because of limitation in the study design, replication studies are warranted to confirm results in independent data sets, aiming ultimately for better assessment of dietary supplement use by athletes.

Metabolic profiling of elite athletes with different cardiovascular demand

“…This group is mainly composed of soccer players, some of whom potentially exhibit similar exercise patterns and playing style to those who belong to high CD group. Finally, variations in dietary intake between the studied groups such as supplements, medications, and other ergogenics may have affected their metabolic profile . These differences are challenging to account for as they vary among athletes and are not usually disclosed.…”

“…Finally, variations in dietary intake between the studied groups such as supplements, medications, and other ergogenics may have affected their metabolic profile. 49,50 These differences are challenging to account for as they vary among athletes and are not usually disclosed. Taking all these limitations on board, conclusions on differences between CVD groups are somewhat speculative and require further confirmation and validation in other sport groups.…”

Comparison of the Metabolites of Water Polo Players before and after Competition by the Metabolomic Approach

“…Metabolomics provides a comprehensive and simultaneous analysis of the metabolic profile of metabolite changes occurring in living organisms in response to pathophysiological stimuli and/or genetic modification [7]. At present, it has been applied in the scientific field of sports to analyze low molecular weight metabolites of athletes in a specific period of time and then systematically evaluate their rich changes [8,9]. Now, the training monitoring of water polo mainly focuses on the technical and tactical analysis and the study of the influence of different training methods on the biochemical indexes such as lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and creatine kinase (CK) in the athletes' blood by using conventional physiological and biochemical methods [10,11].…”

A role for metabolomics in the antidoping toolbox?

“…All except one have been developed for urine 132 . All methods demonstrated the ability to distinguish treated athletes from controls, including signature metabolites from supplements used in different disciplines 131 . Two different strategies are distinguishable in the reported works: (1) Some of the works reported in Table 3 were able to detect direct metabolites of the administered substance, and to use these metabolites to distinguish the control vs. treated groups 126,127,129,133,134 .…”

“…Furthermore, we should take into account the fact that a modified metabolic profile could also be the result of specific training (e.g. high altitude training 136 ), specific food supplements, 131 metabolic illnesses, 42 authorized medication, and because athletes participating in different sports have different cardiovascular demands that determine different metabolic profiles 131,137,138 . This fact could mask the markers of effect of the PEDs identified in the research frame.…”