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Home / Equine Research Bank / Drug Test Anal / Administration study of recombinant human relaxin-2 in horse...
Drug testing and analysis2020; 12(3); 361-370; doi: 10.1002/dta.2732

Administration study of recombinant human relaxin-2 in horse for doping control purpose.

Abstract: The insulin-like peptide relaxin (RLX), an endogenous peptide hormone produced in human for pregnancy and reproduction, is also known to exert a range of physiological and pathological effects. Its use is banned in human sports, horseracing, and equestrian competitions due to its potential performance enhancing effect through vasodilation resulting in the increase of blood and oxygen supplies to muscles. Little is known about the biotransformation and elimination of RLX in horses. This paper describes an administration study of rhRLX-2 and its elimination in horses, and the development of sensitive methods for the detection and confirmation of rhRLX-2 in both horse plasma and urine by nano-liquid chromatography/high resolution mass spectrometry (nano-LC/HRMS) after immunoaffinity extraction with the objective of controlling the abuse of rhRLX-2 in horses. The limits of detection in plasma and urine are 2 pg/mL and 5 pg/mL, respectively. Two thoroughbred geldings were each administered one dose of 10 mg rhRLX-2 subcutaneously daily for 3 consecutive days. The rhRLX-2 could be detected and confirmed in the plasma and urine samples collected 105 h and 80 h, respectively, after the last dose of administration. For doping control purposes, rhRLX-2 ELISA could be used as a screening test to identify potential positive samples for further investigation using the nano-LC/HRMS methods.
© 2019 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
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Publication Date: 2020-01-13 PubMed ID: 31726484DOI: 10.1002/dta.2732Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

The research paper investigates the use of the hormone relaxin (specifically recombinant human relaxin-2 or rhRLX-2) in horses, for doping purposes. The study includes the development of detection techniques, as well as an analysis of how the hormone is processed and eliminated in the horse’s body.

Relaxin and its Effects

  • Relaxin (RLX), is an insulin-like peptide produced in humans primarily for activities related to pregnancy and reproduction.
  • The hormone’s varied physiological and pathological effects, such as increased vasodilation (widening of blood vessels), make it a potential performance-enhancing substance. This has led to its ban in sporting events such as horse racing and equestrian competitions.
  • Increased vasodilation results in greater blood flow and oxygen supply to the horse’s muscles, potentially improving performance in physical activities.

Study and Methodology

  • The paper aims to better understand the biotransformation and elimination of relaxin in horses. Two thoroughbred geldings were given a daily subcutaneous dose of 10 mg of rhRLX-2 for three consecutive days, to study how it was processed and eliminated from their systems.
  • Using this information, the research aims to develop sensitive methods to detect the administration of rhRLX-2 to a horse. The objective is to control the abuse of the hormone for doping.

Detection and Elimination of Relaxin

  • Through the administration of rhRLX-2, it was determined that the hormone could be detected in plasma samples collected up to 105 hours after the last dose. In urine samples, this detection window was shorter, lasting up to 80 hours after the last dose.
  • For the detection of rhRLX-2, the paper suggests utilizing nano-liquid chromatography/high resolution mass spectrometry (nano-LC/HRMS) after immunoaffinity extraction. This method provides a high degree of sensitivity, with limits of detection as low as 2 pg/mL in plasma samples and 5 pg/mL in urine samples.
  • An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for rhRLX-2 could also serve as a preliminary screening test to identify potential positive samples. Any samples testing potentially positive would then be subjected to further investigation using the nano-LC/HRMS methods.

Significance and Use

  • Understanding the biotransformation and elimination of rhRLX-2 in horses can improve detection methods for doping control, allowing for more effective regulation of horse racing and similar sports.
  • With a better understanding of the hormone’s presence and elimination in the horse’s body, the researchers hope to contribute to the development of more sensitive and accurate testing kits.

Cite This Article

APA
Kwok WH, Choi TLS, Leung GNW, Wong ASY, Yue SK, Wan TSM, Ho ENM. (2020). Administration study of recombinant human relaxin-2 in horse for doping control purpose. Drug Test Anal, 12(3), 361-370. https://doi.org/10.1002/dta.2732

Publication

Drug testing and analysis
ISSN: 1942-7611
NlmUniqueID: 101483449
Country: England
Language: English
Volume: 12
Issue: 3
Pages: 361-370

Researcher Affiliations

Kwok, Wai Him
  • Racing Laboratory, The Hong Kong Jockey Club, Sha Tin Racecourse, Sha Tin, N.T., Hong Kong, China.
Choi, Timmy L S
  • Racing Laboratory, The Hong Kong Jockey Club, Sha Tin Racecourse, Sha Tin, N.T., Hong Kong, China.
Leung, Gary N W
  • Racing Laboratory, The Hong Kong Jockey Club, Sha Tin Racecourse, Sha Tin, N.T., Hong Kong, China.
Wong, April S Y
  • Racing Laboratory, The Hong Kong Jockey Club, Sha Tin Racecourse, Sha Tin, N.T., Hong Kong, China.
Yue, Samuel K
  • Minnesota Pain Center, St Paul, MN, USA.
Wan, Terence S M
  • Racing Laboratory, The Hong Kong Jockey Club, Sha Tin Racecourse, Sha Tin, N.T., Hong Kong, China.
Ho, Emmie N M
  • Racing Laboratory, The Hong Kong Jockey Club, Sha Tin Racecourse, Sha Tin, N.T., Hong Kong, China.

MeSH Terms

  • Animals
  • Chromatography, Liquid
  • Doping in Sports / prevention & control
  • Horses
  • Humans
  • Limit of Detection
  • Male
  • Relaxin / blood
  • Relaxin / pharmacokinetics
  • Relaxin / urine
  • Tandem Mass Spectrometry

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