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Erythropoietin administration does not influence the GH–IGF axis or makers of bone turnover in recreational athletes
Author(s) -
Nelson A. E.,
Howe C. J.,
Nguyen T. V.,
Seibel M. J.,
Baxter R. C.,
Handelsman D. J.,
Kazlauskas R.,
Ho K. K.
Publication year - 2005
Publication title -
clinical endocrinology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.055
H-Index - 147
eISSN - 1365-2265
pISSN - 0300-0664
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-2265.2005.02342.x
Subject(s) - n terminal telopeptide , medicine , endocrinology , erythropoietin , bone remodeling , type i collagen , erythropoiesis , athletes , biology , anemia , physical therapy , biochemistry , alkaline phosphatase , osteocalcin , enzyme
Summary Objective Measurement of biochemical markers of the IGF‐system and of collagen turnover is a potential approach to detect GH abuse in sport. These markers are increased in patients on dialysis treated with recombinant human erythropoietin (r‐HuEPO), mimicking the effects of GH. The aim was to determine whether r‐HuEPO induces similar effects on the IGF‐system and collagen turnover in healthy athletes. Subjects and measurements Young male Caucasian recreational athletes were administered 50 U/kg r‐HuEPO ( n = 14) or placebo ( n = 16) three times a week for 25 days, followed by a 4‐week wash‐out period. IGF‐I, IGFBP‐3, the acid labile subunit (ALS), N‐terminal propeptide of type I collagen (PINP), C‐terminal telopeptide of type I collagen (ICTP) and N‐terminal propeptide of type III collagen (PIIINP) were measured in samples collected at baseline (two samples), after 10, 22 and 24 days of r‐HuEPO treatment and at the end of the 4‐week wash‐out period. Results Treatment with r‐HuEPO resulted in approximately threefold elevation of serum EPO and marked elevation of markers of erythropoiesis. There was no significant treatment effect of r‐HuEPO compared to baseline on IGF‐I, IGFBP‐3, ALS, PINP, ICTP or PIIINP. Conclusions r‐HuEPO administration did not change markers of the IGF‐system and of collagen turnover in young healthy male athletes. Therefore, use of r‐HuEPO in athletes should not affect the validity of a GH doping test using these GH‐responsive markers.