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Metabolomics : Official journal of the Metabolomic Society2023; 19(4); 38; doi: 10.1007/s11306-023-01985-0

Performance assessment of an equine metabolomics model for screening a range of anabolic agents.

Abstract: Despite their ban, Anabolic Androgenic Steroids (AAS) are considered as the most important threat for equine doping purposes. In the context of controlling such practices in horse racing, metabolomics has emerged as a promising alternative strategy to study the effect of a substance on metabolism and to discover new relevant biomarkers of effect. Based on the monitoring of 4 metabolomics derived candidate biomarkers in urine, a prediction model to screen for testosterone esters abuse was previously developed. The present work focuses on assessing the robustness of the associated method and define its scope of application. Several hundred urine samples were selected from 14 different horses of ethically approved administration studies involving various doping agents' (AAS, SARMS, β-agonists, SAID, NSAID) (328 urine samples). In addition, 553 urine samples from untreated horses of doping control population were included in the study. Samples were characterized with the previously described LC-HRMS/MS method, with the objective of assessing both its biological and analytical robustness. The study concluded that the measurement of the 4 biomarkers involved in the model was fit for purpose. Further, the classification model confirmed its effectiveness in screening for testosterone esters use; and it demonstrated its ability to screen for the misuse of other anabolic agents, allowing the development of a global screening tool dedicated to this class of substances. Finally, the results were compared to a direct screening method targeting anabolic agents demonstrating complementary performances of traditional and omics approaches in the screening of anabolic agents in horses.
© 2023. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature.
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Publication Date: 2023-04-07 PubMed ID: 37027080PubMed Central: 7127945DOI: 10.1007/s11306-023-01985-0Google 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.

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

APA
Cloteau C, Dervilly G, Loup B, Delcourt V, Kaabia Z, Bagilet F, Groseille G, Dauriac K, Fisher S, Popot MA, Garcia P, Le Bizec B, Bailly-Chouriberry L. (2023). Performance assessment of an equine metabolomics model for screening a range of anabolic agents. Metabolomics, 19(4), 38. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11306-023-01985-0

Publication

Metabolomics : Official journal of the Metabolomic Society
ISSN: 1573-3890
NlmUniqueID: 101274889
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 19
Issue: 4
Pages: 38

Researcher Affiliations

Cloteau, C
  • 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.
Dervilly, G
  • LABERCA, ONIRIS, INRAE, 44300, Nantes, France.
Loup, B
  • Laboratoire des Courses Hippiques (GIE-LCH), 91370, Verrières Le Buisson, France.
Delcourt, V
  • Laboratoire des Courses Hippiques (GIE-LCH), 91370, Verrières Le Buisson, France.
Kaabia, Z
  • Laboratoire des Courses Hippiques (GIE-LCH), 91370, Verrières Le Buisson, France.
Bagilet, F
  • Laboratoire des Courses Hippiques (GIE-LCH), 91370, Verrières Le Buisson, France.
Groseille, G
  • Laboratoire des Courses Hippiques (GIE-LCH), 91370, Verrières Le Buisson, France.
Dauriac, K
  • Laboratoire des Courses Hippiques (GIE-LCH), 91370, Verrières Le Buisson, France.
Fisher, S
  • Laboratoire des Courses Hippiques (GIE-LCH), 91370, Verrières Le Buisson, France.
Popot, M A
  • Laboratoire des Courses Hippiques (GIE-LCH), 91370, Verrières Le Buisson, France.
Garcia, P
  • Laboratoire des Courses Hippiques (GIE-LCH), 91370, Verrières Le Buisson, France.
Le Bizec, B
  • LABERCA, ONIRIS, INRAE, 44300, Nantes, France.
Bailly-Chouriberry, L
  • 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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Citations

This article has been cited 2 times.
  1. Ishii H, Shigematsu R, Takemoto S, Ishikawa Y, Mizobe F, Nomura M, Arima D, Kunii H, Yuasa R, Yamanaka T, Tanabe S, Nagata SI, Yamada M, Leung GN. Quantification of osilodrostat in horse urine using LC/ESI-HRMS to establish an elimination profile for doping control. Bioanalysis 2024;16(17-18):947-958.
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