Int J Sports Med 2004; 25(7): 528-532
DOI: 10.1055/s-2004-820954
Physiology & Biochemistry

© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Norandrosterone and Noretiocholanolone Concentration Before and After Submaximal Standardized Exercise

B. de Geus1 , F. Delbeke2 , R. Meeusen1 , P. Van Eenoo2 , K. De Meirleir1 , B. Busschaert1
  • 1Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Fac LK, Menselijke Fysiologie en Sportgeneeskunde, Brussel, Belgium
  • 2Universiteit Gent, Fac Diergeneeskunde, Doping Control Laboratory, Merelbeke, Belgium
Further Information

Publication History

Accepted after revision: October 15, 2003

Publication Date:
26 July 2004 (online)

Abstract

19-Norandrosterone (19-NA) and 19-noretiocholanolone (19-NE) are the two main urinary indicators used to detect illegal use of nandrolone. Recent studies showed that 19-NA and 19-NE can be endogenously produced in non-treated humans. The concentrations were close to the threshold of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), i.e. 2 ng/ml for men and seem to increase after prolonged intense effort. Androgens are involved in the biosynthesis of estrogens and estrogen has a protective effect against skeletal muscle damage following eccentric exercise. Furthermore, the testicular tissue can synthesize 19-norandrogens from androgens, we hypothetisize that the 19-norandrogen production might be influenced by muscle damage following eccentric exercise. Therefore the purpose of this study is to examine if three different exercise methods will influence the urinary concentration of 19-NA and 19-NE in healthy young subjects. Fifteen amateur hockey players undertook a 30 min submaximal standardized exercise protocol. They were randomised for three different types of exercise, namely a cycle ergometer test (cyclic muscle activity), a treadmill test (concentric muscle activity), or a bench-steptest (eccentric muscle activity) at a target heart rate corresponding to 65 % (± 5 %) of Karvonen heart rate. Urine samples were obtained before the test and 60 min and 120 min after the end of exercise. Subjects completed a Likert scale of muscle soreness before and 12 h after exercise. 19-NA and 19-NE were determined by gas chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (GC-MS-MS). Baseline urinary 19-NA and 19-NE concentrations were under limit of detection of 0.05 ng/ml, except for one sample (0.13 ng/ml). No 19-NA or 19-NE could be detected post exercise. In our experimental conditions, the exercise mode (eccentric or concentric) had no impact on 19-NA or 19-NE excretion. Our findings confirm that the current International Olympic Committee threshold level for nandrolone metabolites is sufficiently high to avoid false positive cases.

References

  • 1 Carreau S, Bourguiba S, Lambard S, Galeraud-Denis I. Testicular aromatase.  J Soc Biol. 2002;  196 241-244
  • 2 Catlin D H, Leder B Z, Ahrens B, Starcevic B, Hatton C K, Green G A, Finkelstein J S. Trace contamination of over-the-counter androstenedione and positive urine test results for a nandrolone metabolite.  JAMA. 2000;  284 2618-2621
  • 3 Catlin D H. Use and abuse of anabolic steroids. De Groot LJ, Jameson JL Endocrinology. 4th ed. Vol. 3. Philadelphia; Saunders Company 2001: 2243-2252
  • 4 Ciardi M, Ciccoli R, Barbarulo M V, Nicoletti R. Presence of norandrosterone in “normal” urine samples. Schänzer W, Geyer H, Gotzmann A, Mareck-Engelke U Recent Advances in Doping Analysis (6), Proceeding of the Manfred Donike Workshop, 16th Cologne Workshop on Dope Analysis. 15th to 20th March. 1998: 97-105
  • 5 Dehennin L, Jondet M, Scholler R. Androgen and 19-norsteroid profiles in human preovulatory follicles from stimulated cycles: an isotope dilution-mass spectrometry study.  J Steroid Biochem. 1987;  26 399-405
  • 6 Dehennin L, Bonnaire Y, Plou P. Urinary excretion of 19-norandrosterone of endogenous origin in man: quantitative analysis by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry.  J Chromatogr B. 1999;  721 301-307
  • 7 Dehennin L, Bonnaire Y, Plou P. Human nutritional supplements in the horse: comparative effects of 19-norandrostenedione and 19-norandrostenediol on the 19-norsteroid profile and consequences for doping control.  J Chromatogr B Analyt Technol Biomed Life Sci. 2002;  766 257-263
  • 8 Delbeke F T, Destmet N, Debackere M. The abuse of doping agents in competing body builders in Flanders (1988 - 1993).  Int J Sports Med. 1995;  16 66-70
  • 9 Delbeke F T, Van Eenoo P, Van Thuyne W, Desmet N. Prohormones and sport.  J Steroid Biochem Mol Biol. 2003;  83 245-251
  • 10 Galán Martin A M, Maynar Marino J I, Garcia de Tiedra M P, Rivero Marabé J J, Caballero Loscos M J, Maynar Marino M. Determination of nandrolone and metabolites in urine samples from sedentary persons and sportsmen.  J Chromatogr B. 2001;  761 229-236
  • 11 Geusens P. Nandrolone decanoate: Pharmacological properties and therapeutic use in osteoporosis.  Clin Rheumatol. 1995;  14 32-39
  • 12 Green G A, Catlin D H, Starcevic B. Analysis of over-the-counter dietary supplements.  Clin J Sport Med. 2001;  11 254-259
  • 13 Hargens F. Androgenic-anabolic steroid use in strength athletes effects on body composition and cardiovascular system. Doctoral Dissertation. Maastricht; University Press 2001
  • 14 High D M, Howley E T. The effects of static stretching and warm-up on prevention of delayed-onset muscle soreness.  Res Q Exerc Sport. 1989;  60 357-361
  • 15 Honour J W. Steroid abuse in female athletes.  Curr Opin Obstet Gynecol. 1997;  9 181-186
  • 16 Kamber M, Baume N, Saugy M, Rivier L. Nutritional supplements as a source for positive doping cases?.  Int J Sport Nutr Exerc Metab. 2001;  11 258-263
  • 17 Karvonen J. The effects of training on the heart rate.  Ann Med Exp Biol Fenn. 1957;  35 307-315
  • 18 Kendall B, Eston R. Exercise-induced muscle damage and the potential protective role of estrogen.  Sports Med. 2002;  32 103-123
  • 19 Kintz P, Cirimele V, Ludes B. Norandrosterone et noretiocholanolone: les métabolites révélateurs.  Acta Clin Belg. 1999;  1 68-73
  • 20 Le Bizec B, Monteau F, Gaudin I, André F. Evidence for the presence of endogenous 19-norandrosterone in human urine.  J Chromatogr B. 1999;  723 157-172
  • 21 Le Bizec B, Bryand F, Gaudin I, Monteau F, Poulain F, André F. Endogenous nandrolone metabolites in human urine: preliminary results to discriminate between endogenous and exogenous origin.  Steroids. 2002;  67 105-110
  • 22 Özer D, Temizer A. The determination of nandrolone and its metabolites in urine by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry.  Eur J Drug Metab Pharmacokin. 1997;  22 421-425
  • 23 Phipps W J. Medical-Surgical Nursing: Concepts and Clinical Practice. St. Louis; Mosby 1995: 545
  • 24 Pipe A, Ayotte C. Nutritional supplements and doping.  Clin J Sport Med. 2002;  12 245-249
  • 25 Reznik Y, Dehennin L, Coffin C, Mahoudeau J, Leymarie P. Urinary nandrolone metabolites of endogenous origin in man: a confirmation by output regulation under human chorionic gonadotropin stimulation.  J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2001;  86 146-150
  • 26 Robinson N, Taroni F, Saugy M, Ayotte C, Mangin P, Dvorak J. Detection of nandrolone metabolites in urine after a football game in professional and amateur players: a Bayesian comparison.  Forens Sci Int. 2001;  122 130-135
  • 27 Schänzer W. Metabolism of anabolic androgenic steroids.  Clin Chem. 1996;  42 1001-1020
  • 28 Schmitt N, Flament M-M, Goubault C, Legros P, Grenier-Loustalot M F, Denjean A. Nandrolone excretion is not increased by exhaustive exercise in trained athletes.  Med Sci Sports Exerc. 2002;  34 1436-1439
  • 29 Uralets V P, Gillette P A. Over-the-counter anabolic steroids 4-androsten-3, 17-dione; 4-androsten-3 beta, 17 beta-diol; and 19-nor-4-androsten-3, 17-dione: excretion studies in men.  J Anal Toxicol. 1999;  23 357-366
  • 30 Van Eenoo P, Delbeke F T, de Jong F H, De Backer P. Endogenous origin of norandrosterone in female urine: indirect evidence for the production of 19-norsteroids as by-products in the conversion from androgen to estrogen.  J Steroid Biochem Mol Biol. 2001;  78 351-357
  • 31 Vickers A J. Time course of muscle soreness following different types of exercise.  BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders. 2001;  2 5

Prof. Dr. Romain Meeusen

Department of Human Physiology & Sportsmedicine · Faculty LK · Vrije Universiteit Brussel

Pleinlaan 2

1050 Brussels

Belgium

Phone: + 3226292222

Fax: + 32 26 29 28 76

Email: rmeeusen@vub.ac.be

    >