Hepcidin as a potential biomarker for blood doping. Issue 7 (18th November 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Leuenberger, Nicolas; Bulla, Emanuele; Salamin, Olivier; Nicoli, Raul; Robinson, Neil; Baume, Norbert; Saugy, Martial
• Is Part Of: Drug testing and analysis. Volume 9:Issue 7(2017)
• Page Start: 1093
• Page End: 1097
• Publication Date: 2016-11-18
• Subjects: hepcidin -- blood doping -- EPO; Drugs -- Analysis -- Periodicals; Drug testing -- Periodicals; Chemistry, Forensic -- Periodicals; 615.1901
• DOI: 10.1002/dta.2122
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1942-7603

Abstract

Abstract : The concentration of hepcidin, a key regulator of iron metabolism, is suppressed during periods of increased erythropoietic activity. The present study obtained blood samples from 109 elite athletes and examined the correlations between hepcidin and markers of erythropoiesis and iron metabolism (i.e., haemoglobin, erythropoietin (EPO), ferritin, erythroferrone (ERFE), and iron concentration). Furthermore, an administration study was undertaken to examine the effect of recombinant human EPO (rhEPO) delta (Dynepo™) on hepcidin concentrations in healthy male volunteers. The effects on hepcidin were then compared with those on reticulocyte percentage (Ret%) and ferritin concentration. There was a significant positive correlation between hepcidin and ferritin, iron, and haemoglobin levels in athletes, whereas hepcidin showed an inverse correlation with ERFE. Administration of rhEPO delta reduced hepcidin levels, suggesting that monitoring hepcidin may increase the sensitivity of the Athlete Biological Passport (ABP) for detecting rhEPO abuse. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. Abstract : The present paper suggest that hepcidin has utility as a potential indirect biomarker for detecting first generation rEPO with previously observed with blood transfusion. Thus, hepcidin is of general interest in the field of blood doping.