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HGH
Q&A: Human Growth Hormone Testing
(Read also the special feature on hGH research and
detection from Play True - Issue 2 – 2007)
What is hGH?
• Human growth hormone (hGH) is a hormone that
is synthesized and secreted by cells in the anterior
pituitary gland located at the base of the brain.
• hGH is known to act on many aspects of cellular
metabolism and is also necessary for skeletal growth
in humans.
• The major role of hGH in body growth is to stimulate
the liver and other tissues to secrete insulin like
growth factor (IGF-1). IGF-1 stimulates production of
cartilage cells, resulting in bone growth and also plays
a key role in muscle and organ growth.
• hGH is prohibited both in- and out-of-competition
under the World Anti-Doping Agency’s (WADA) List
of Prohibited Substances and Methods.
What are the side effects of hGH abuse?
• Commonly reported side effects for hGH abuse
are: diabetes in prone individuals; worsening of cardiovascular
diseases; muscle, joint and bone pain; hypertension
and cardiac deficiency; abnormal growth of organs; accelerated
osteoarthritis.
• In untreated acromegalic individuals (known
for pathological over-production of hGH), many of the
symptoms described above are observed and life expectancy
is known to be significantly reduced.
• Because of the role that hGH plays in stimulating
IGF-1 secretion, excessive use of hGH may also lead
to metabolic dysfunction, including glucose intolerance
and other side effects associated with excess levels
of IGF-1.
Does a test for hGH exist?
• A test for hGH was first introduced at the 2004
Summer Olympic Games in Athens, Greece. The test to
detect hGH abuse is a blood test.
Is the hGH test reliable?
• The current test is reliable.
• Another test, in its final development stage,
will be combined with the current test to further enhance
the detection window for hGH abuse.
• The concepts and development of both hGH tests
have been systematically reviewed by international independent
experts in such fields as hGH, endocrinology, immunoassay,
analytical chemistry, etc. In addition, these tests
are the outcome of nearly US$6 million in research over
the course of more than 10 years.
• Research was initiated by the International
Olympic Committee (IOC) and the European Union, and
then taken over by WADA when it was created and had
adopted scientific research as one of its priority activities.
Why has there been only a limited implementation of
the current hGH test?
• The current test is based on the blood matrix
and was initially implemented on a limited scale to
a number of the WADA-accredited anti-doping laboratories
worldwide.
• The antibodies used for the current tests were
initially produced in a research environment. The production
of antibodies in a research environment is characteristically
small.
• Industrial production of the anti-bodies was
the following step for the widespread implementation
of the hGH test.
When will the industrial production be ready?
• It is ready.
• Efforts made by WADA for widespread production
of antibodies needed for hGH detection were slowed following
the take-over if the company with which WADA had an
agreement for the development of these antibodies, and
the decision made by the company’s new management
in 2006 to stop its cooperation with WADA.
• WADA subsequently found a new partner for the
large scale production and distribution of antibodies
kits.
• The kits have now been validated, and mass production
of the kits has started.
Why have there been no positive cases for hGH so far?
• The test was introduced at the Athens Olympic
Games in 2004 and other major sport events. However,
because hGH is often taken by doping athletes in the
off-season to optimize performance, the test is most
effective when implemented in a no-advance-notice out-of-competition
strategy.
• Widespread implementation of the test may change
these statistics.
Is a urine test for hGH likely to be developed?
• According to the overwhelming majority of international
experts, the blood matrix is the most reliable matrix
for the detection of hGH.
• hGH in urine is found in extremely small quantities
(less than 1% than that found in blood).
• In the view of international scientific experts,
efforts to develop a reliable urine test for hGH would
require significant resources and time, and chances
of success appear remote.
Can blood samples be stored?
• Freezing liquid fraction of blood (serum or
plasma) is a scientifically acceptable solution that
allows for the preservation of substances in samples
for future testing and detection.
• Research has shown that hGH is very stable in
frozen serum or plasma.
• WADA encourages anti-doping organizations under
the World Anti-Doping Code to store blood samples when
relevant.
• Storing serum or plasma for future testing has
a significant deterrent effect.
• The World Anti-Doping Code makes it possible
to open a disciplinary proceeding within eight years
from the date an anti-doping rule violation occurred.
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