Jan 18 2009
New Test to Help Regulators Tag Doping Athletes
Technology does help us in so many ways; this time science proves itself worthy of praise as German researchers develop on a new drug use-potential screen test. It seems like there are two distinct molecules that can help identify cheating athletes.
The two molecules, identified as JTV-519 and S-107, it seems, assists muscle cells to retain functionality of calcium ion channels in the body. This means that the muscles stay at their prime and function to perfection. Because of this, the muscles do not feel exhaustion and can endure longer activities. The experiments on the molecules have been done on mice and data collected verifies that performance in exercise was significantly improved, with minimal fatigue.
In the Columbian University College, New York City, scientists are currently exploring the said molecules which can be classified under benzothiazepines. At first glance, these chemical compounds look possibly beneficial to the treatment of irregular heart rate patterns. However, Center for Preventive Doping Research specialist Dr. Mario Thevis has implied that there may be more to the compounds than that; the German Sport University of Cologne is looking into the possibility that they may also be “beneficial” as doping agents.
There is still more to be done, primarily to recognize how the molecules are processed inside the body. As soon as JTV-519 and S-107 break down is identified, identification test may then be developed and these tests can increase the accuracy of doping tests in athletic competitions worldwide.
In related news, scientists have also already developed on a similar doping test process, with SARMs or selective androgen receptor modulators. These compounds have been found to increase the growth spurt in muscles, healing, and endurance in athletes as they have steroidal properties. SARMs at the present are already being tested clinically. The researchers say that it might not be long before SARMs reach the market.
One of the difficulties that sports regulating committees and institutions face is that Some unscrupulous athletes are always ahead in the performance enhancer’s game. Constantly, athletes who cheat have found ways to get hold of untested substances that dramatically improve sports performance. This is the foremost reason why sports researchers are determined to keep on finding and analyzing drugs and chemicals that can possibly be used as performance enhancers. Regulations committees should always be at the forefront of drug screening so that they can effectively do their tasks.
Drugs that improve performance in sports are typically classified as steroids. Although, it may be good to know that steroids are classified into three subgroups: corticosteroids, anabolic, and androgenic. The most prevalent sports steroidal drugs are of the anabolic type, as these get muscles to grow and increase endurance in athletes as well.
Many athletes still opt to use anabolic steroids to ensure themselves of performing at maximum, even if they are well aware of the consequences. Steroids are risky to take as they have prolonged side effects that can affect the reproductive system of both males and females. Among the damages that steroids cause to the body are the following: heart disease, liver damage, stunted growth (in young users), and decrease in sperm production and potency.
Sports regulations experts add that in order to efficiently stop steroid use from getting into the professional competitions; they need to identify potential dangers as early as possible hopefully earlier than cheating athletes.
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