Doping control analysis of total arsenic in equine plasma.
Abstract: Arsenic can be easily found in our surrounding environment. Because of its ubiquitous nature, horse urine and blood invariably contain low levels of arsenic. Nevertheless, inorganic arsenic, despite its general use as a tonic for horses, is an effective doping agent having a deleterious effect because of its ability to induce gastroenteritis. The misuse of arsenic in horseracing has been controlled by an international urinary threshold of total arsenic at 0.3 μg/mL. However, an equivalent threshold for total arsenic in plasma is yet to be established. In this study, an inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry method has been developed for quantifying total arsenic in equine plasma. Statistical analysis determined that the data from a population study of 1,552 post-race and out-of-competition plasma samples fits a Gaussian mixture model with two Gaussian components. A rounded-up provisional threshold for plasma total arsenic at 2.5 ng/mL was subsequently established. Results from administration trials with a sodium arsanilate-containing supplement showed that both urinary and plasma arsenic was significantly elevated after administration. The maximum urinary detection time was around 22 h based on the international threshold. However, the maximum plasma detection time would be longer than 73 h if the provisional threshold of 2.5 ng/mL was adopted. In view of the high discrepancy between the urine and plasma detection times, a revised plasma threshold of 15 ng/mL is proposed to afford a comparable detection time in both matrices. The risk of a normal sample exceeding the proposed plasma total arsenic threshold is practically zero.
© 2020 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Publication Date: 2020-07-20 PubMed ID: 32638526DOI: 10.1002/dta.2896Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
Summary
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This study is concerned with developing a method for quantifying arsenic levels in horse blood plasma, with the aim of implementing stricter doping controls in horse racing. Researchers propose a new, provisional threshold for arsenic levels in plasma following the use of a sodium arsanilate supplement.
Background
- The accessible nature of arsenic means that traces of it are commonly found in horse urine and blood, but inorganic arsenic can have harmful effects if used in large quantities. It’s often used as a tonic for horses, but it can also be misused as a doping agent because it induces gastroenteritis.
- To control the misuse of arsenic in horse racing, an international threshold has been established for arsenic levels in urine at 0.3 μg/mL. However, no equivalent standard has been set for arsenic in horse plasma.
Aims and Methodology of the study
- The goal of this research was to develop a reliable method for quantifying total arsenic in equine plasma using inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry.
- The researchers undertook a population study using 1,552 post-race and out-of-competition plasma samples. The data was analyzed statistically and fitted into a Gaussian mixture model with two Gaussian components.
Findings
- Based on their analysis, the researchers established a rounded-up provisional threshold for plasma total arsenic at 2.5 ng/mL.
- Administration trial results using a supplement containing sodium arsanilate showed that both urine and plasma arsenic levels significantly increased after administration. Urinary detection time was roughly 22 hours based on the international threshold. Meanwhile, plasma detection time would exceed 73 hours if the provisional threshold of 2.5 ng/mL was used.
- This significant difference in urine and plasma detection time led the researchers to propose a new threshold for plasma total arsenic at 15 ng/mL to ensure comparable detection times in both matrices. They determined that the risk of a normal sample exceeding this proposed threshold is virtually zero.
Conclusion
- The findings promote a well-founded plasma threshold that can be utilized for tighter doping regulations within horse racing. More research is required to refine the threshold and gain broader acceptance.
- The study underpins the usefulness of inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry for arsenic detection, offering a practical solution for monitoring plasma arsenic levels and ensuring a fair and safe horseracing environment.
Cite This Article
APA
Chan GHM, Tang W, Curl P, Lin Y, Wan TSM, Ho ENM.
(2020).
Doping control analysis of total arsenic in equine plasma.
Drug Test Anal, 12(10), 1462-1469.
https://doi.org/10.1002/dta.2896 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Racing Laboratory, The Hong Kong Jockey Club, Sha Tin Racecourse, Sha Tin, New Territories, Hong Kong, China.
- Department of Statistics, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Sha Tin, New Territories, Hong Kong, China.
- Department of Veterinary Regulation, Welfare and Biosecurity Policy, The Hong Kong Jockey Club, Sha Tin Racecourse, Sha Tin, New Territories, Hong Kong, China.
- Department of Statistics, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Sha Tin, New Territories, Hong Kong, China.
- Racing Laboratory, The Hong Kong Jockey Club, Sha Tin Racecourse, Sha Tin, New Territories, Hong Kong, China.
- Racing Laboratory, The Hong Kong Jockey Club, Sha Tin Racecourse, Sha Tin, New Territories, Hong Kong, China.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Arsenic / administration & dosage
- Arsenic / blood
- Doping in Sports
- Horses / blood
- Male
- Mass Spectrometry
- Substance Abuse Detection
Grant Funding
- Direct Grants for Research, The Chinese University of Hong Kong
- 14306219 / Hong Kong Research Grants Council
- 14311916 / Hong Kong Research Grants Council
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