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Identification of the growth hormone‐releasing hormone analogue [Pro1, Val14]‐hGHRH with an incomplete C‐term amidation in a confiscated product
Author(s) -
Esposito Simone,
Deventer Koen,
Van Eenoo Peter
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
drug testing and analysis
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.065
H-Index - 54
eISSN - 1942-7611
pISSN - 1942-7603
DOI - 10.1002/dta.1730
Subject(s) - chemistry , human growth hormone , peptide , growth hormone–releasing hormone , hormone , alanine , valine , amino acid , biochemistry , growth hormone
In this work, a modified version of the 44 amino acid human growth hormone‐releasing hormone (hGHRH(1‐44)) containing an N‐terminal proline extension, a valine residue in position 14, and a C‐terminus amidation (sequence: PYADAIFTNSYRKVVLGQLSARKLLQDIMSRQQGESNQERGARARL‐NH 2 ) has been identified in a confiscated product by liquid chromatography‐high resolution mass spectrometry (LC‐HRMS). Investigation of the product suggests also an incomplete C‐term amidation. Similarly to other hGHRH analogues, available in black markets, this peptide can potentially be used as performance‐enhancing drug due to its growth hormone releasing activity and therefore it should be considered as a prohibited substance in sport. Additionally, the presence of partially amidated molecule reveals the poor pharmaceutical quality of the preparation, an aspect which represents a big concern for public health as well. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.