Threshold level for theophylline in doping analysis.
HPLC in the reversed-phase mode is used to assay methylxanthines including theobromine, paraxanthine, theophylline and caffeine in urine. The calibration graphs show good linearity in the concentration range 0-10 micrograms/ml. The limit for accurate quantitation of theophylline was 0.25 microgram/ml. Between 6 and 20% of the parent drug is recovered in urine (0-12 h) after the oral administration of sustained release preparations containing 150 and 250 mg theophylline to four volunteers. Theophylline levels above 0.25 microgram/ml were found in 1539 out of 3885 urine samples collected from athletes during unannounced doping control in Flanders. Statistical evaluation of the results gives a far outside value [75th percentile+(3 x interquartile range)] of 2.25 micrograms/ml. The ratio theophylline paraxanthine (TP/PX) as an indicator for the non-dietary intake of theophylline seems to be more reliable. The far outside ratio was 0.20. To ensure with the greatest possible degree of certainty that no false-positive result is reported, decision limits of 5 micrograms/ml and 0.50, for theophylline and the ratio TP/PX respectively, are proposed.
Delbeke
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FT
Vakgroep Farmacologie, Farmacie en Toxicologie, Faculteit Diergeneeskunde, Universiteit Gent, Salisburylaan, Merelbeke, Belgium.
De Backer
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P
D002110:Caffeine / Q000008:administration & dosage; D002851:Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; D004300:Doping in Sports; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D015813:Substance Abuse Detection; D013806:Theophylline / Q000652:urine*
D002110:Caffeine; D013806:Theophylline