Monitoring of hemoglobin and erythropoiesis-related mRNA with dried blood spots in athletes and patients

Transcriptomic Biomarkers in Blood Indicative of the Administration of Recombinant Human Erythropoietin to Thoroughbred Horses

Erythropoiesis-stimulating agents (ESAs) continue to be a significant threat to the integrity of human and equine sports. Besides conventional direct testing, monitoring the biomarkers associated with the effects of ESAs may provide a complementary approach via indirect detection to enhance doping control. In this study, we applied RNA-sequencing (RNA-seq) to discover blood RNA biomarkers in Thoroughbred horses after administration with a long-acting form of recombinant human erythropoietin (rhEPO), methoxy polyethylene glycol epoetin beta, Mircera®. A single subcutaneous administration of Mircera® at ~ 4.2 μg/kg was effective in elevating haematocrit, haemoglobin and erythrocyte levels to varying extents in as early as 4 days post-administration in all three horses, which persisted for 40 days post-administration (the last sample collected). RNA-seq was applied to analyse blood transcriptomic changes. Differential gene expression analysis has allowed the identification of 46 genes that showed dramatic and temporary upregulation at 4-11 days after Mircera® administration. STRING analysis has identified the functional enrichment of 15 genes important for erythropoiesis and erythrocyte function, supporting the idea of an increased release into the peripheral circulation of residual RNA-containing reticulocytes after rhEPO exposure, which would otherwise mature normally inside the bone marrow in horses. Machine learning of blood transcriptomes has enabled the discrimination of samples with or without Mircera administration. Therefore, our study has provided new insights into the biological mechanism of erythropoiesis caused by rhEPO administration in horses and has provided evidence supporting the control of misuse of ESAs by monitoring the equine blood transcriptome.

Comparison between standard hematological parameters and blood doping biomarkers in dried blood spots within the athlete population of Swiss Sport Integrity

Introduction

The study demonstrated the feasibility of incorporating RNA biomarkers, specifically 5-aminolevulinic acid synthase (ALAS2) and carbonic anhydrase 1 (CA1), to improve the hematological module of the Athlete Biological Passport (ABP) in routine antidoping context.

Objective

The aim was to investigate the implementation of reticulocyte (RET) related biomarkers, specifically ALAS2 and CA1, using quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) on dried blood spots (DBS) from elite athletes. Hemoglobin changes over time in DBS samples was measured as well. Combining hemoglobin and messenger RNA (mRNA) analyses allowed to monitor alterations of the established marker, "DBS OFF-score".

Methodology

Ten athletes were selected for sampling by the Swiss national antidoping organization, Swiss Sports Integrity (SSI). Samples were collected, transported and analyzed for ABP following the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) procedures and spotted onto Protein Saver DBS cards.

Results

Most athletes exhibited stable biomarker levels, except for one individual involved in ski mountaineering, who demonstrated a sustained increase in ALAS2 compared to the individual baseline. This elevation could be due to blood withdrawal or other factors, such as doping with substances outside the targeted test menu.

Conclusion

In this study, RNA-biomarkers were successfully analyzed in routine blood samples, and the project demonstrated promising results for the implementation of ALAS2 and CA1 in routine analysis to complement the ABP.

Use of RNA biomarkers in the antidoping field

There is growing evidence that various RNA molecules can serve as biomarkers for clinical diagnoses. Over the last decade, the high specificities and sensitivities of RNA biomarkers have led to proposals that they could be used to detect prohibited substances and practices in sports. mRNAs and circulating miRNAs have the potential to improve the detection of doping and expand the performance of the Athlete Biological Passport. This review provides a summary of the use of RNA biomarkers to detect human and equine doping practices, including a discussion of the use of dried blood spots as a stable matrix that supports and improves the general process of RNA biomarker detection. The advantages of RNA biomarkers over protein biomarkers are also discussed.

Achieving routine application of dried blood spots for erythropoietin receptor agonist analysis in doping control: low-volume single-spot detection at minimum required performance level

Background: Erythropoietin receptor agonists (ERAs) are substances prohibited in sports and currently monitored in urine and blood. There is a great interest in new matrices like dried blood spots (DBSs). Method: A direct method for the detection of ERAs in DBSs using one single spot of 25 μl has been optimized and validated. Results: Limits of detection close or equal to those required by the World Anti-Doping Agency for serum/plasma samples were achieved, using a volume 20-times lower. All analytes were stable for at least 90 days at room temperature. Conclusion: Method performance was comparable to the requirements established for blood samples and, thus, monitoring of ERAs is reliable in DBSs in the context of doping control.

HEMOGLOBIN ANALYSIS AFTER OVERLOAD TRAINING IN ATHLETES

ABSTRACT Introduction: The cardiovascular system provides athletes with the proper conditions for blood circulation, ensuring the stability and normal metabolism of the body's internal environment during exercise. Objective: Investigate the effect of overload training on the hemoglobin of male taekwondo athletes. Methods: Twenty-one male taekwondo athletes (level 2 or higher) were selected and trained for four weeks, five days per week, with an initial load intensity of 60% of the maximum heart rate and a weekly intensity increase of 10%. Before training and on every weekend during training, hemoglobin (Hb), mean corpuscular volume (MCV), mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH), mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC), reticulocyte count (Ret) were checked, RBC volume distribution width (RDW), hemoglobin content distribution width (HDW), mean reticulocyte volume (MCVr), mean reticulocyte hemoglobin concentration (CHCMr), serum iron (Fe) and ferritin (Fer). Results: After four weeks of increasing load training, athletes showed a progressive and significant decrease in Hb (P<0.01), manifested as exercise-induced hypohemoglobin, and MCV, MCH, MCHC, CHCMr, HDW, and serum ferritin were significantly or extremely decreased(P<0.) 05, P<0.01); RDW increased significantly (P<0.05); Changes in Ret and serum iron showed no statistical significance (P>0.05). Correlation analysis found that hemoglobin concentration had the highest correlation with MCHC and CHCMr. Conclusion: Four-week incremental load training can induce exercise-induced hypohemoglobin in male taekwondo athletes, its changes being most correlated with MCHC and CHCMr, but without significant correlation with serum Fe, RDW, HDW, and MCV. Level of Evidence: Therapeutic Studies -Investigation of Outcomes.

Psychosocial aspects of sports medicine in pediatric athletes: Current concepts in the 21st century

Behavioral aspects of organized sports activity for pediatric athletes are considered in a world consumed with winning at all costs. In the first part of this treatise, we deal with a number of themes faced by our children in their sports play. These concepts include the lure of sports, sports attrition, the mental health of pediatric athletes (i.e., effects of stress, anxiety, depression, suicide in athletes, ADHD and stimulants, coping with injuries, drug use, and eating disorders), violence in sports (i.e., concepts of the abused athlete including sexual abuse), dealing with supervisors (i.e., coaches, parents), peers, the talented athlete, early sports specialization and sports clubs. In the second part of this discussion, we cover ergolytic agents consumed by young athletes in attempts to win at all costs. Sports doping agents covered include anabolic steroids (anabolic-androgenic steroids or AAS), androstenedione, dehydroepiandrostenedione (DHEA), human growth hormone (hGH; also its human recombinant homologue: rhGH), clenbuterol, creatine, gamma hydroxybutyrate (GHB), amphetamines, caffeine and ephedrine. Also considered are blood doping that includes erythropoietin (EPO) and concepts of gene doping. In the last section of this discussion, we look at disabled pediatric athletes that include such concepts as athletes with spinal cord injuries (SCIs), myelomeningocele, cerebral palsy, wheelchair athletes, and amputee athletes; also covered are pediatric athletes with visual impairment, deafness, and those with intellectual disability including Down syndrome. In addition, concepts of autonomic dysreflexia, boosting and atlantoaxial instability are emphasized. We conclude that clinicians and society should protect our precious pediatric athletes who face many challenges in their involvement with organized sports in a world obsessed with winning. There is much we can do to help our young athletes find benefit from sports play while avoiding or blunting negative consequences of organized sport activities.