title: Determination of anabolic-androgenic steroid adulterants in counterfeit drugs by UHPLC-MS/MS.
abstract: Anabolic-androgenic steroids (AASs) have been illegally used in counterfeit drugs to improve the performance of athletes. In addition, AASs have been used for cosmetic purpose by non-athletes. To determine the presence of 26 AASs, an analysis method using ultra-liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC-MS/MS) was developed and validated. The validated method was applied to 19 counterfeit drugs collected from the Internet and off-line markets during 2014. Nearly 50% (9/19) of the samples contained one of these 26 AASs. In addition, the concentration ranges of the AASs ranged from 0.09 to 119,228.57 mg/kg in the suspected samples. The determined AASs primarily consisted of testosterone and testosterone 17-propionate (26%) followed by boldenone (21%). These results indicate the adulteration of over-the-counter counterfeit drugs, and the continuous monitoring of counterfeit drugs or dubious dietary supplements containing anabolic steroids is warranted.
authors.affiliation: Advanced Analysis Team, Toxicological Evaluation and Research Department, National Institute of Food and Drug Safety Evaluation, Ministry of Food and Drug Safety, Cheongju-si, Chungcheongbuk-do 363-700, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: So-Hyun
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Cho
authors.affiliation: Advanced Analysis Team, Toxicological Evaluation and Research Department, National Institute of Food and Drug Safety Evaluation, Ministry of Food and Drug Safety, Cheongju-si, Chungcheongbuk-do 363-700, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Hyoung Joon
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Park
authors.affiliation: Advanced Analysis Team, Toxicological Evaluation and Research Department, National Institute of Food and Drug Safety Evaluation, Ministry of Food and Drug Safety, Cheongju-si, Chungcheongbuk-do 363-700, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Ji Hyun
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.affiliation: Advanced Analysis Team, Toxicological Evaluation and Research Department, National Institute of Food and Drug Safety Evaluation, Ministry of Food and Drug Safety, Cheongju-si, Chungcheongbuk-do 363-700, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Jung-Ah
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Do
authors.affiliation: Advanced Analysis Team, Toxicological Evaluation and Research Department, National Institute of Food and Drug Safety Evaluation, Ministry of Food and Drug Safety, Cheongju-si, Chungcheongbuk-do 363-700, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Seok
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Heo
authors.affiliation: Advanced Analysis Team, Toxicological Evaluation and Research Department, National Institute of Food and Drug Safety Evaluation, Ministry of Food and Drug Safety, Cheongju-si, Chungcheongbuk-do 363-700, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Jeong Hwa
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Jo
authors.affiliation: Advanced Analysis Team, Toxicological Evaluation and Research Department, National Institute of Food and Drug Safety Evaluation, Ministry of Food and Drug Safety, Cheongju-si, Chungcheongbuk-do 363-700, Republic of Korea. Electronic address: chos219@korea.kr.
authors.forename: Sooyeul
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Cho
mesh_terms: D045930:Anabolic Agents / Q000032:analysis* / Q000737:chemistry*; D000728:Androgens / Q000737:chemistry*; D002851:Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid / Q000379:methods; D058110:Counterfeit Drugs / Q000032:analysis* / Q000737:chemistry*; D004300:Doping in Sports / Q000379:methods; D004340:Drug Contamination; D013256:Steroids / Q000737:chemistry*; D053719:Tandem Mass Spectrometry / Q000379:methods
chemical_list: D045930:Anabolic Agents; D000728:Androgens; D058110:Counterfeit Drugs; D013256:Steroids
keywords: Adulterants; Anabolic–androgenic steroids; Counterfeit drug; UHPLC–MS/MS; Validation