Combined evaluation of resting IGF1, N-terminal propeptide of type III procollagen and C-terminal cross-linked telopeptide of type I collagen levels might be useful for detecting inappropriate GH administration in female athletes.
OBJECTIVE
To detect exogenous recombinant human GH (rhGH) abuse in female athletes.


METHODS
GH-dependent markers were assayed in serum of 100 female athletes (control group) and in a subgroup of nine female subjects treated with rhGH (0.09 IU/kg body weight, 6 days/week for 3 weeks).


METHODS
Cut-off values (mean+2 s.d.) for IGF1, N-terminal propeptide of type III procollagen (PIIINP) and C-terminal telopeptide of type I collagen (ICTP) were calculated and arbitrary scores (1.5 or 2.0) were assigned to abnormal markers. By using the sum of individual marker scores, positive (> or =3) or negative (<3) scores were obtained.


RESULTS
None of the control group obtained a positive score (> or =3). Abnormal IGF1, PIIINP and ICTP levels were found in 61.4, 54.5 and 11.4% samples of the treated group. Overall, positive cases were present in 43.2% blood samples drawn in subjects treated with rhGH and in 26% of samples after rhGH withdrawal. The sensitivity of the detection approach was 66.6% at the end of 3-week rhGH treatment and 11.1% at the 15th day of rhGH withdrawal, while the specificity was 100%.


CONCLUSIONS
Detection test for rhGH administration appears less sensitive in female (66.6%) than in male athletes (previous observation, 100% after 3 weeks of comparable rhGH dose), but shows a similar specificity (98.5-100%). Since athletes supposedly use very high doses and long-term administration of rhGH for doping purposes, it is foreseen that the here-in detection test would in future increase its strength.
Di Luigi
Luigi
L
Unità di Endocrinologia, Dipartimento di Scienze della Salute, Università di Roma 'Foro Italico', Piazza Lauro de Bosis 15, 00194 Roma, Italy. luigi.diluigi@iusm.it
Rigamonti
Antonello E
AE
Agosti
Fiorenza
F
Mencarelli
Monica
M
Sgrò
Paolo
P
Marazzi
Nicoletta
N
Cella
Silvano G
SG
Müller
Eugenio E
EE
Sartorio
Alessandro
A
D000328:Adult; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000032:analysis / Q000097:blood; D002940:Circadian Rhythm / Q000502:physiology; D024042:Collagen Type I; D004300:Doping in Sports / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D019382:Human Growth Hormone / Q000008:administration & dosage; D006801:Humans; D007334:Insulin-Like Growth Factor I / Q000032:analysis*; D010446:Peptide Fragments / Q000032:analysis / Q000097:blood*; D010455:Peptides; D011347:Procollagen / Q000032:analysis / Q000097:blood*; D011994:Recombinant Proteins / Q000008:administration & dosage; D012146:Rest / Q000502:physiology; D013177:Sports; D015813:Substance Abuse Detection / Q000379:methods*; D013997:Time Factors; D055815:Young Adult
D015415:Biomarkers; D024042:Collagen Type I; D010446:Peptide Fragments; D010455:Peptides; D011347:Procollagen; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; C052929:collagen type I trimeric cross-linked peptide; C041876:procollagen Type III-N-terminal peptide; D019382:Human Growth Hormone; D007334:Insulin-Like Growth Factor I