Performance assessment of an equine metabolomics model for screening a range of anabolic agents.
- Journal Article
- Research Support
- Non-U.S. Gov't
Summary
This research is on how effective metabolomics is in uncovering the use of banned substances in racehorses, particularly Anabolic Androgenic Steroids (AAS). The research utilizes a model that was previously developed to detect testosterone esters and tests it against a wider range of prohibited drugs.
Research Methodology
In order to evaluate the efficacy of the previously developed model, numerous urine samples were needed:
- A total of 328 urine samples were taken from 14 different horses for this study. These horses were part of ethically-approved administration studies involving various doping agents like AAS, SARMS, β-agonists, SAID, NSAID.
- In addition, 553 urine samples were collected from non-doping control population horses. In other words, these samples came from horses that were not treated with any of these substances.
Analytical Process
The collected samples were analysed using a Liquid Chromatography-High Resolution Mass Spectrometry/Mass Spectrometry (LC-HRMS/MS) method. This method characterized each sample based on its specific metabolic markers.
- The main objective of this testing was to assess the biological and analytical robustness of the LC-HRMS/MS method.
- The model is based on the tracking of four biomarkers that were initially observed and described in earlier studies of urine after testosterone esters use.
Results and Conclusion
The results indicated that the model which focused on these four biomarkers was indeed ‘fit for purpose’, that is, it was effective in detecting the use of the specified substances in the horses.
- The model proved its efficiency in detecting testosterone esters use, which was its original function.
- Interestingly, it also showed competence in identifying the misuse of a range of other anabolic substances, thus hinting at potential expansion of detection range beyond just testosterone esters.
- These findings suggest the feasibility of developing a universal screening tool for detecting banned substances in racehorses.
The study also compared the model’s performance with a direct screening method which targets anabolic agents specifically. The comparison showed that both traditional and omics approach had complementary performances, hence suggesting the ideal strategy might be to apply a consolidated, hybrid approach for maximal effectiveness.
Cite This Article
Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- LABERCA, ONIRIS, INRAE, 44300, Nantes, France. chloe.cloteau@oniris-nantes.fr.
- Laboratoire des Courses Hippiques (GIE-LCH), 91370, Verrières Le Buisson, France. chloe.cloteau@oniris-nantes.fr.
- LABERCA, ONIRIS, INRAE, 44300, Nantes, France.
- Laboratoire des Courses Hippiques (GIE-LCH), 91370, Verrières Le Buisson, France.
- Laboratoire des Courses Hippiques (GIE-LCH), 91370, Verrières Le Buisson, France.
- Laboratoire des Courses Hippiques (GIE-LCH), 91370, Verrières Le Buisson, France.
- Laboratoire des Courses Hippiques (GIE-LCH), 91370, Verrières Le Buisson, France.
- Laboratoire des Courses Hippiques (GIE-LCH), 91370, Verrières Le Buisson, France.
- Laboratoire des Courses Hippiques (GIE-LCH), 91370, Verrières Le Buisson, France.
- Laboratoire des Courses Hippiques (GIE-LCH), 91370, Verrières Le Buisson, France.
- Laboratoire des Courses Hippiques (GIE-LCH), 91370, Verrières Le Buisson, France.
- Laboratoire des Courses Hippiques (GIE-LCH), 91370, Verrières Le Buisson, France.
- LABERCA, ONIRIS, INRAE, 44300, Nantes, France.
- Laboratoire des Courses Hippiques (GIE-LCH), 91370, Verrières Le Buisson, France.
MeSH Terms
- Horses
- Animals
- Anabolic Agents / urine
- Tandem Mass Spectrometry / methods
- Steroids
- Metabolomics
- Testosterone
- Testosterone Congeners
- Anabolic Androgenic Steroids
- Esters
- Biomarkers / urine
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