Int J Sports Med 2007; 28(5): 381-385
DOI: 10.1055/s-2006-924365
Physiology & Biochemistry

© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Effects of Hemopure™ on Maximal Oxygen Uptake and Endurance Performance in Healthy Humans

M. J. Ashenden1 , Y. O. Schumacher2 , K. Sharpe3 , E. Varlet-Marie4 , M. Audran4
  • 1Science and Industry Against Blood Doping (SIAB) Research Consortium, Gold Coast, Australia
  • 2Department of Sports Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
  • 3Department of Mathematics and Statistics, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne. Australia
  • 4Biophysical and Bioanalysis Laboratory, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Montpellier I, Montpellier, France
Further Information

Publication History

Accepted after revision: May 10, 2006

Publication Date:
06 October 2006 (online)

Abstract

Haemoglobin-based oxygen carriers (HBOCs) such as Hemopure™ are touted as a tenable substitute for red blood cells and therefore potential doping agents, although the mechanisms of oxygen transport of HBOCs are incompletely understood. We investigated whether infusion of Hemopure™ increased maximal oxygen uptake (V·O2max) and endurance performance in healthy subjects. Twelve male subjects performed two 4-minute submaximal exercise bouts equivalent to 60 % and 75 % of V·O2max on a cycle ergometer, followed by a ramped incremental protocol to elicit V·O2max. A crossover design tested the effect of infusing either 30 g (6 subjects) or 45 g (6 subjects) of Hemopure™ versus a placebo. Under our study conditions, Hemopure™ did not increase V·O2max nor endurance performance. However, the infusion of Hemopure™ caused a decrease in heart rate of ∼ 10 bpm (p = 0.009) and an average increase in mean (∼ 7 mmHg) and diastolic blood pressure (∼ 8 mmHg) (p = 0.046) at submaximal and maximal exercise intensities. Infusion of Hemopure™ did not bestow the same physiological advantages generally associated with infusion of red blood cells. It is conceivable that under exercise conditions, the hypertensive effects of Hemopure™ counter the performance-enhancing effect of improved blood oxygen carrying capacity.

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MD Yorck Olaf Schumacher

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