5A - Drugs in Sports

Question 1

The World Anti-doping Agency (WADA)

Answer 1

List of types of drugs banned in all competitions

Question 2

Drug types banned by WADA - 8

Answer 2

1. Narcotics : morphine, codeine: pain relief, sedation
2. stimulants: amphetamines, pseudoephedrine , caffeine in excess, etc. : affect fatigue, alertness
3. Beta -2 agonists (Beta blockers): propanolol (Indural) enhance breathing without increasing heart rate
4. Diuretics and Masking agents: furosemide: increase elimination and “hide drugs”
5. Anabolic steroids: Stanozolol & many others, testosterone in excess: increase muscle mass
6. Hormones and Anabolic proteins: hGH, Erythropoetin (EPO): increase muscle mass, increase O2 uptake (blood dopants)
7. Anti-estrogenic drugs: Tamoxifen: Increase levels of male hormones (testosterone)
8. Gluco-corticosteroids: Budesonide: increase stress indurance

Question 3

4. What is a masking agent?

Answer 3

it can react with the chemical species to be analyzed for (the analyte) to change its properties and thus make it harder to detect

Question 4

5. Anabolic steroids

Answer 4

By definition: Anabolism means “building up” vs. Catabolism “breaking down”
Probably the most widely used (and abused) by atheletes…..

Question 5

T/E ratio test

Answer 5

testosterone vs. epi-testosterone –> if t is administered, the rate of urinrary t increases and that of e decreases

Question 6

Side effects of excess testosterone or other anabolics

Answer 6

In men: 1.testicular atrophy ( if external testosterone is taken, testes do not need to make it)2. High cholesterol 3. high blood pressure 4. heart attack risks 5. impotence etc..
In women: course skin, decreased breast size, menstrual problems, loss of body curves etc.

Question 7

6. Hormones and Anabolic proteins

Answer 7

Hormones act as “messengers” in our body (ie intrabody communication)

Human growth hormone (hGH) and EPO (erythropoietin)
Injection of hGH done by athletes in the hope of building more competitive bodies

Question 8

Intrabody Communication

Answer 8

Two major lines of chemical communication between our external and internal environments 1) CNS - neurons/synapses/neurotransmitters 2) Circulatory System - O2 transport, antibodies, hormones, etc.

Question 9

Hormones = chemical messengers

Answer 9

Produced in special(endocrine) glands, transported through circulatory system to other parts of the body (heart, liver, kidneys, etc.) to influence a variety of physiological effects(metabolism, reproduction, growth, etc.)

Question 10

Blood doping using EPO

Answer 10

EPO (Erythropoietin), an anabolic protein, is made naturally in the human kidneys
Increases the blood’s ability to supply oxygen: increases # of red blood cells

Question 11

Potential dangers of EPO use

Answer 11

If natural level of EPO is high, injecting more EPO can thicken the blood to dangerous levels
Increases risk of blood clots in vital organs

Question 12

Legal supplements for atheletes

Answer 12

Creatine, an amino acid (body makes~1-2 gr/day)
Seems to produce an increase in creatine phosphate, which is used to convert ADP to ATP, the main E source for muscle cells
Used medically to treat ALS (degenerative muscle disease)

Question 13

Hormone replacement therapy (HRT)

Answer 13

As humans age, levels of many hormones change-constant change from birth to death
Men and women have unique issues related to the sex hormones testosterone and estrogen respectively

Question 14

(HRT) in Males

Answer 14

Aging males can get Testosterone (by gel or spray) as a form of HRT
Claimed to reverse diminished libido, restores muscle and bone density

Question 15

Other issues with Low T products

Answer 15

Increased risk of heart attacks and strokes (29% higher than if not using )
Women accidentally exposed can develop male characteristics
Children can experience early puberty if accidentally exposed
Can be expensive (~570$ per month)

Question 16

HRT for women

Answer 16

Menopausal women experience “hot flashes”
Body is reacting to a decreased supply of estrogen
“confused” hypothalamus: part of the brain controlling appetite, sleep, temperature and sex hormones)
Loss of bone density due to decreased estrogen (Calcium supplements needed)

Question 17

What are Phytoestrogens?

Answer 17

Chemicals produced by plants (herbs, grains, fruits)

When ingested, mimic or interact with estrogenic hormones in animals (humans!)

Question 18

Estrogen Mimics (Endocrine Disruptors)

Answer 18

Some environmental pollutants present in small quantities..mimic the effects of estrogen
Possible contributing cause to breast cancer “epidemic”
ie triclosan (antibacterial agent) present in a.b.soaps, some tooth pastes
Bis Phenol A (BPA) another one. In some plastics

Question 19

Cortisone and Prednisone: Steroidal Anti-inflammatory drugs (SAID’s)

Answer 19

Both cortisone (natural: injected) ) and Prednisone (synthetic: pills) act almost instantaneously to reduce inflammation in joints and other body tissue

Question 20

Many side effects include of SAID

Answer 20

Sodium ( hence water)  retention --swelling
Increased appetite
Increased fat deposits
Sweating at night
Acne
Depletion of immune system
Increased sun sensitivity
Increased hair growth
Candida (yeast type infection) growth (oral)

Question 21

Effects of Digoxin (Digitalis)

Answer 21

Treatment of irregular heart beat
But Digoxin has a narrow therapeutic index ie.only a small margin between effectiveness and toxicity (recall TI =2!)
Also potentially dangerous interactions with some antibiotics and adrenaline