Pharmacokinetics and selected pharmacodynamics of cobalt following a single intravenous administration to horses.
Abstract: Cobalt has been used by human athletes due to its purported performance-enhancing effects. It has been suggested that cobalt administration results in enhanced erythropoiesis, secondary to increased circulating erythropoietin (EPO) concentrations leading to improvements in athletic performance. Anecdotal reports of illicit administration of cobalt to horses for its suspected performance enhancing effects have led us to investigate the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamic effects of this compound when administered in horses, so as to better regulate its use. In the current study, 18 horses were administered a single intravenous dose of cobalt chloride or cobalt gluconate and serum and urine samples collected for up to 10 days post administration. Cobalt concentrations were measured using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) and pharmacokinetic parameters determined. Additional blood samples were collected for measurement of equine EPO concentrations as well as to assess any effects on red blood cell parameters. Horses were observed for adverse effects and heart rate monitored for the first 4 h post administration. Cobalt was characterized by a large volume of distribution (0.939 L/kg) and a prolonged gamma half-life (156.4 h). Cobalt serum concentrations were still above baseline values at 10 days post administration. A single administration of cobalt had no effect on EPO concentrations, red blood cell parameters or heart rate in any of the horses studied and no adverse effects were noted. Based on the prolonged gamma half-life and prolonged residence time, regulators should be able to detect administration of a single dose of cobalt to horses.
Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Publication Date: 2014-10-18 PubMed ID: 25327415DOI: 10.1002/dta.1737Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
- Research Support
- Non-U.S. Gov't
Summary
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This research looks into the effects of a single intravenous administration of cobalt in horses, its duration within the body, and possible implications on horse performance. The study finds that cobalt has a prolonged presence in the body following administration, but does not impact concentrations of EPO, red blood cells parameters or heart rate.
Study Design
- The study involved 18 horses which were administered a single intravenous dose of either cobalt chloride or cobalt gluconate.
- Blood and urine samples were collected from these horses for up to 10 days post-administration to study the presence and effects of cobalt over time.
- Cobalt concentrations within the samples were measured using a method known as inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS).
- The horses’ EPO concentrations, red blood cell parameters, and heart rate were monitored, and they were observed for any potential adverse effects.
Pharmacokinetics and Pharmacodynamics of Cobalt in Horses
- The results revealed a large volume of cobalt distribution within the body (0.939 L/kg), and a prolonged gamma half-life (156.4 hours), indicating that cobalt remains within the body for an extended period.
- It was observed that even 10 days post-administration, cobalt serum concentrations were still above the baseline values.
- Despite its prolonged presence in the body, cobalt administration had no observed effect on equine EPO concentrations, red blood cell parameters or heart rate.
- No adverse effects on the horses’ health were detected as a result of cobalt administration.
Implications
- The study’s findings suggest that, while cobalt’s presence in the body is detectable long after administration, it does not seem to bring about any performance enhancement in horses as purported.
- Given the long half-life of cobalt, regulators in the domain of competitive equine sports will be able to detect illegal administration of cobalt, thereby preserving the fairness of the competition.
Cite This Article
APA
Knych HK, Arthur RM, Mitchell MM, Holser I, Poppenga R, Smith LL, Helm MN, Sams RA, Gaskill CL.
(2014).
Pharmacokinetics and selected pharmacodynamics of cobalt following a single intravenous administration to horses.
Drug Test Anal, 7(7), 619-625.
https://doi.org/10.1002/dta.1737 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- K.L. Maddy Equine Analytical Chemistry Laboratory, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, 620 West Health Science Drive, Davis, CA, 95616, USA.
- Department of Veterinary Molecular Biosciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, One Shields Avenue, Davis, CA, 95616, USA.
- School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, One Shields Avenue, Davis, CA, 95616, USA.
- K.L. Maddy Equine Analytical Chemistry Laboratory, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, 620 West Health Science Drive, Davis, CA, 95616, USA.
- California Animal Health and Food Safety Laboratory, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, 620 West Health Science Drive, Davis, CA, 95616, USA.
- Department of Veterinary Molecular Biosciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, One Shields Avenue, Davis, CA, 95616, USA.
- California Animal Health and Food Safety Laboratory, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, 620 West Health Science Drive, Davis, CA, 95616, USA.
- University of Kentucky Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory, Department of Veterinary Science, University of Kentucky, 1490 Bull Lea Road, Lexington, KY, 40511, USA.
- University of Kentucky Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory, Department of Veterinary Science, University of Kentucky, 1490 Bull Lea Road, Lexington, KY, 40511, USA.
- LGC Science, Inc., 1745 Alysheba Way #160, Lexington, KY, 40509, USA.
- University of Kentucky Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory, Department of Veterinary Science, University of Kentucky, 1490 Bull Lea Road, Lexington, KY, 40511, USA.
MeSH Terms
- Administration, Intravenous
- Animals
- Cobalt / administration & dosage
- Cobalt / pharmacokinetics
- Female
- Horses / metabolism
- Male
- Performance-Enhancing Substances / administration & dosage
- Performance-Enhancing Substances / pharmacokinetics
- Pilot Projects
Citations
This article has been cited 5 times.- Skalny AV, Zaitseva IP, Gluhcheva YG, Skalny AA, Achkasov EE, Skalnaya MG, Tinkov AA. Cobalt in athletes: hypoxia and doping - new crossroads. J Appl Biomed 2019 Mar;17(1):28.
- Fazio F, Gugliandolo E, Nava V, Piccione G, Giannetto C, Licata P. Bioaccumulation of Mineral Elements in Different Biological Substrates of Athletic Horse from Messina, Italy. Animals (Basel) 2020 Oct 14;10(10).
- Burns TA, Dembek KA, Kamr A, Dooley SB, Dunbar LK, Aarnes TK, Bednarski LS, O'Brien C, Lakritz J, Byrum B, Wade A, Farmer R, Tan S, Toribio RE. Effect of Intravenous Administration of Cobalt Chloride to Horses on Clinical and Hemodynamic Variables. J Vet Intern Med 2018 Jan;32(1):441-449.
- Jacobs ME, Blea J, Hardy M, McKemie DS, Traynham M, Knych HK. Metformin in the Horse: Pharmacokinetics and Detection Times Using Monte Carlo Simulations. Drug Test Anal 2026 Jan;18(1):139-148.
- LeCompte Lazić RA, Nielsen BD, Robison CI, Schott HC 2nd, Herdt TH, Larson CK. Influence of Dietary Cobalt on Fiber Digestibility and Serum Cobalt and Cobalamin Concentrations in Horses. Animals (Basel) 2024 Dec 12;14(24).
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