Banned substances,Benefits,Sports associated Side effects
Posted: Sat Sep 25, 2010 12:12 pmEPO
It is used in treating anemia resulting from chronic kidney disease and myelodysplasia, from the treatment of cancer (chemotherapy and radiation), and from other critical illnesses (heart failure). Erythropoietin has been shown to be beneficial in certain neurological diseases like schizophrenia
Football, baseball, martial arts, weightlifting, cycling
Early treatment with erythropoietin correlated with an increase in the risk of Retinopathy of prematurity in premature infants who had anemia of prematurity, raising concern that the angiogenic actions of erythropoietin may exacerbate retinopathy. However, since anemia itself increases the risk of retinopathy, the correlation with erythropoietin treatment may simply be incidental and reflect that anemia induced retinopathy
STEROIDS AAS
The anabolic-androgenic steroids (AAS) are a family of hormones that includes the natural male hormone testosterone, together with its many synthetic relatives, all of which exhibit both anabolic (“muscle building”) and androgenic (“masculinizing”) properties. When taken in supraphysiologic doses, AAS allow users to greatly increase muscle strength and athletic performance, often well beyond the limit attainable by natural means
Football, baseball, martial arts, weightlifting, cycling
Long-term use of supraphysiologic doses of AAS may cause irreversible cardiovascular toxicity, especially atherosclerotic effects and cardiomyopathy. In other organ systems, evidence of persistent toxicity is more modest, and interestingly, there is little evidence for an increased risk of prostate cancer. High concentrations of AAS, comparable to those likely sustained by many AAS abusers, produce apoptotic effects on various cell types, including neuronal cells - raising the specter of possibly irreversible neuropsychiatric toxicity. Finally, AAS abuse appears to be associated with a range of potentially prolonged psychiatric effects, including dependence syndromes, mood syndromes, and progression to other forms of substance abuse. However, the prevalence and severity of these various effects remains poorly understood.
GROWTH HORMONES
Reported effects on GH-deficient patients (but not on healthy people) include decreased body fat, increased muscle mass, increased bone density, increased energy levels, improved skin tone and texture, increased sexual function and improved immune system function.
Athletes in many sports use human growth hormone to enhance their athletic performance. Some recent studies have not been able to support claims that human growth hormone can improve the athletic performance of professional male athletes
There is theoretical concern that HGH treatment may increase the risks of diabetes, especially in those with other predispositions treated with higher doses. If used for training, growth at a young age (25 or less) can cause severe symptoms. One survey of adults that had been treated with replacement cadaver GH (which has not been used anywhere in the world since 1985) during childhood showed a mildly increased incidence of colon cancer and prostate cancer, but linkage with the GH treatment was not established.
Regular application of extra GH may show several negative side-effects such as joint swelling, joint pain, carpal tunnel syndrome, and an increased risk of diabetes. Other side effects can include less sleep needed after dosing. This is common initially and decreases in effect after habitual use of GH.
The most common disease of GH excess is a pituitary tumor composed of somatotroph cells of the anterior pituitary. These somatotroph adenomas are benign and grow slowly, gradually producing more and more GH. For years, the principal clinical problems are those of GH excess.
GENETIC DOPING
‘Athletes are not born equal’ is a controversial quote from Sir Roger Bannister, the first man to run the one mile under 4 minutes. People from specific ethnic origin seem to have an advantage over others. West-African runners dominate the short distance running whereas athletes from East Africa do well in the marathon. On the other hand, Caucasians dominate in swimming contests. In this age of genetics and genomics, it will be possible to elucidate the genes that predetermine ones predisposition for a specific sport. Genetic screening at early age may indicate the greatest potential for a specific child to develop into a top athlete and a specific training programme may be designed. Athletes performing at the level of international championships
Most athletes will not have enough background knowledge to fully understand the potential health hazards imposed by gene doping. Therefore, it is of utmost importance that athletes and their supporting staff will be educated on this subject in order to prevent the use of gene doping.
The risks involved in gene doping are several, and are related to the vector used chemical, viral and related to the encoded transgene. Health risks resulting from expressed genes are similar to those of other doping forms. However, the level and duration of protein production is less controllable when compared to conventional protein administration. For example Epo delivered by gene therapy could result in sustained high Epo levels which would increase the chances of stroke and heart attack.
It is used in treating anemia resulting from chronic kidney disease and myelodysplasia, from the treatment of cancer (chemotherapy and radiation), and from other critical illnesses (heart failure). Erythropoietin has been shown to be beneficial in certain neurological diseases like schizophrenia
Football, baseball, martial arts, weightlifting, cycling
Early treatment with erythropoietin correlated with an increase in the risk of Retinopathy of prematurity in premature infants who had anemia of prematurity, raising concern that the angiogenic actions of erythropoietin may exacerbate retinopathy. However, since anemia itself increases the risk of retinopathy, the correlation with erythropoietin treatment may simply be incidental and reflect that anemia induced retinopathy
STEROIDS AAS
The anabolic-androgenic steroids (AAS) are a family of hormones that includes the natural male hormone testosterone, together with its many synthetic relatives, all of which exhibit both anabolic (“muscle building”) and androgenic (“masculinizing”) properties. When taken in supraphysiologic doses, AAS allow users to greatly increase muscle strength and athletic performance, often well beyond the limit attainable by natural means
Football, baseball, martial arts, weightlifting, cycling
Long-term use of supraphysiologic doses of AAS may cause irreversible cardiovascular toxicity, especially atherosclerotic effects and cardiomyopathy. In other organ systems, evidence of persistent toxicity is more modest, and interestingly, there is little evidence for an increased risk of prostate cancer. High concentrations of AAS, comparable to those likely sustained by many AAS abusers, produce apoptotic effects on various cell types, including neuronal cells - raising the specter of possibly irreversible neuropsychiatric toxicity. Finally, AAS abuse appears to be associated with a range of potentially prolonged psychiatric effects, including dependence syndromes, mood syndromes, and progression to other forms of substance abuse. However, the prevalence and severity of these various effects remains poorly understood.
GROWTH HORMONES
Reported effects on GH-deficient patients (but not on healthy people) include decreased body fat, increased muscle mass, increased bone density, increased energy levels, improved skin tone and texture, increased sexual function and improved immune system function.
Athletes in many sports use human growth hormone to enhance their athletic performance. Some recent studies have not been able to support claims that human growth hormone can improve the athletic performance of professional male athletes
There is theoretical concern that HGH treatment may increase the risks of diabetes, especially in those with other predispositions treated with higher doses. If used for training, growth at a young age (25 or less) can cause severe symptoms. One survey of adults that had been treated with replacement cadaver GH (which has not been used anywhere in the world since 1985) during childhood showed a mildly increased incidence of colon cancer and prostate cancer, but linkage with the GH treatment was not established.
Regular application of extra GH may show several negative side-effects such as joint swelling, joint pain, carpal tunnel syndrome, and an increased risk of diabetes. Other side effects can include less sleep needed after dosing. This is common initially and decreases in effect after habitual use of GH.
The most common disease of GH excess is a pituitary tumor composed of somatotroph cells of the anterior pituitary. These somatotroph adenomas are benign and grow slowly, gradually producing more and more GH. For years, the principal clinical problems are those of GH excess.
GENETIC DOPING
‘Athletes are not born equal’ is a controversial quote from Sir Roger Bannister, the first man to run the one mile under 4 minutes. People from specific ethnic origin seem to have an advantage over others. West-African runners dominate the short distance running whereas athletes from East Africa do well in the marathon. On the other hand, Caucasians dominate in swimming contests. In this age of genetics and genomics, it will be possible to elucidate the genes that predetermine ones predisposition for a specific sport. Genetic screening at early age may indicate the greatest potential for a specific child to develop into a top athlete and a specific training programme may be designed. Athletes performing at the level of international championships
Most athletes will not have enough background knowledge to fully understand the potential health hazards imposed by gene doping. Therefore, it is of utmost importance that athletes and their supporting staff will be educated on this subject in order to prevent the use of gene doping.
The risks involved in gene doping are several, and are related to the vector used chemical, viral and related to the encoded transgene. Health risks resulting from expressed genes are similar to those of other doping forms. However, the level and duration of protein production is less controllable when compared to conventional protein administration. For example Epo delivered by gene therapy could result in sustained high Epo levels which would increase the chances of stroke and heart attack.