A Review of the Development of Glucocorticoid Testing Methods in Doping Control

DOI: https://doi.org/10.62517/jmhs.202405119

Author(s)

Yirang Wang1,#, Jingyi Fan1,#, Wanggeng Zhou2, Bing Liu1,*

Affiliation(s)

1Shanghai University of sport, Jiangwancheng Road 900, Shanghai, P. R. China 2Xiamen Medical College, 1999 Guankou Road, Jimei District, Xiamen, Fujian, P. R. China *Corresponding Author. #These Authors Contributed Equally to this Work.

Abstract

Glucocorticoids (GCs) are naturally occurring hormones in the human body, known for their anti-inflammatory and immune-regulating functions. However, they have also been misused as performance-enhancing drugs in sports for an extended period. This comprehensive review delves into existing literature to gain insights into the metabolic pathways and negative feedback mechanisms of glucocorticoids in living organisms. One key area of focus is the performance of GC-C-IRMS assays in identifying glucocorticoids. The review critically examines the effectiveness of these assays and sheds light on their potential impact on detecting glucocorticoid abuse in sports. Furthermore, the limitations of current GC assays are thoroughly evaluated, providing a comprehensive understanding of the challenges associated with accurately detecting glucocorticoids. In addition to the present shortcomings, the review also explores future trends in the detection of glucocorticoids. It offers a forward-looking analysis of potential advancements in assay techniques and other innovative approaches that could enhance the detection capabilities in this field. By addressing the current limitations and outlining future possibilities, this review contributes to the ongoing discussion on mitigating the misuse of glucocorticoids in sports through improved detection methods.

Keywords

Glucocorticoids; Detection Techniques; Doping Detection; Gas-phase Combustion Isotope Mass Spectrometry

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