Abstract
Erythropoietin (EPO) promotes the production of red blood cells, the key factor in
the regulation of the oxygen transport, and has been abused by athletes for performance
enhancement in endurance sports. Current methods to detect EPO misuse are based on
isoelectric focussing (IEF), double blotting, and chemiluminescence detection. A new
approach utilizing SDS-PAGE mobilities of target analytes is presented. Employing
two internal standards (novel erythropoiesis stimulating protein and recombinant rat
EPO), the assay provides a tool which allows the calculation of relative mobility
values for endogenous urinary EPO and recombinant epoetins (e.g., Dynepo™) and, thus,
the distinction of these analytes in doping control samples. A reference group of
53 healthy volunteers and samples originating from a Dynepo™ (epoetin delta) excretion
study conducted with a single person were analyzed and led to a significant discrimination
of endogenous urinary and recombinant EPO. A clear differentiation was accomplished
over a period of four days post-administration of a single injection of 50 IU/kg body
weight. Hence, the method may be useful as a screening procedure in doping control
or as complementary confirmation tool to the established IEF assay.
Key words
EPO - Dynepo™ - electrophoretic mobility - sport - doping - MALDI‐TOF
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Prof. PhD Wilhelm Schänzer
German Sport University Cologne
Center for Preventive Doping Research Institute of Biochemistry
Carl-Diem-Weg 6
50933 Cologne
Germany
Telefon: + 49 2 21 49 82 49 20
Fax: + 49 22 14 97 32 36
eMail: wilhelm@biochem.dshs-koeln.de