title: Sports-related issues and biochemistry of natural and synthetic anabolic substances.
abstract: Testosterone is the principal male sex hormone. As with all natural steroids, it is biosynthesized from cholesterol. Phase I metabolism employs some very specific enzymes and pathways. Phase II metabolism and excretion follow more general patterns. The effects of testosterone are twofold: anabolic and androgenic. Because of its anabolic effects, testosterone is frequently abused in sports. Because of its endogenous nature, testosterone doping is difficult to detect. The standard procedure is based on the evaluation of the urinary steroid profile. Conspicuous samples then are submitted to compound-specific (13)C/(12)C analysis. Synthetic and endogenous steroids differ in this measure. Numerous xenobiotic compounds have been derived from testosterone. The modifications typically aim at a reduction of the androgenic properties while maintaining the anabolic potential. Most of these compounds have been withdrawn from the legal market. However, they are found to be illicitly added to otherwise inefficient nutritional supplements. These products represent a major problem to doping control. Recently, clinical trials with selective androgen receptor modulators have been started.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Biochemistry, German Sport University Cologne (DSHS), Cologne, Germany.
authors.forename: Maria K
authors.initials: MK
authors.lastname: Parr
authors.forename: Ulrich
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Flenker
authors.forename: Wilhelm
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Schänzer
mesh_terms: D045930:Anabolic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000138:chemical synthesis; D056352:Athletes; D054874:Athletic Performance / Q000502:physiology; D003687:Dehydroepiandrosterone / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D004300:Doping in Sports / Q000517:prevention & control; D005260:Female; D008401:Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry; D006801:Humans; D007554:Isotopes / Q000032:analysis; D008297:Male; D009277:Nandrolone / Q000008:administration & dosage; D013739:Testosterone / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D045930:Anabolic Agents; D007554:Isotopes; D013739:Testosterone; D003687:Dehydroepiandrosterone; D009277:Nandrolone