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Home / Equine Research Bank / Drug Test Anal / The effect of serial administration of bicarbonate on plasma...
Drug testing and analysis2020; 13(2); 397-403; doi: 10.1002/dta.2937

The effect of serial administration of bicarbonate on plasma total CO2 concentrations in horses.

Abstract: The administration of alkalinising agents including bicarbonate is of concern to racing authorities because resultant alkalosis may enhance performance and interfere with the detection of drugs in post-race urine. A threshold for total carbon dioxide (TCO ) of 36.0 mmol/L in plasma (with action limit of 37.0 mmol/L) has been set. Serial dosing of sodium bicarbonate has gained popularity in human athletes but has not been studied in horses previously. Sodium bicarbonate (200 g per horse) and 60 g of an electrolyte-vitamin complex was administered in 2-L water via nasogastric intubation to five Standardbred horses for three consecutive days (total dose bicarbonate 0.42 ± 0.02 g/kg). Serial blood samples were taken over Days 1-5, with the final day (5) intended to simulate a 'clear day', and TCO was analysed. Following the first bicarbonate administration, plasma TCO peaked at 6 h (34.8 ± 1.3 mmol/L), returning to baseline by 23 h. On Day 2, four out of the five horses showed a peak greater than 36.0 mmol/L (mean 37.0 ± 2.1 mmol/L). With daily repeated dosing, plasma TCO peaked progressively earlier, and by Day 3, the peak occurred at 2 h and concentrations declined more rapidly. On Days 4 and 5, TCO levels remained low (<32.1 mmol/L on Day 4 and between 27.0-31.2 mmol/L on Day 5). These studies demonstrate that serial dosing of a 'split dose' of sodium bicarbonate on three consecutive days does not result in the accumulation or carry-over of plasma TCO levels beyond the levels observed following a single dose.
© 2020 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
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Publication Date: 2020-11-08 PubMed ID: 33161618DOI: 10.1002/dta.2937Google 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 investigates the effects of administering sodium bicarbonate in horses over consecutive days. It found that recurring dosages did not result in a cumulative or lingering increase in plasma total carbon dioxide levels beyond what was observed after a single dosage.

Background

  • The research is centred around the use of alkalinising agents, such as sodium bicarbonate, in racing horses. These agents are a matter of concern for racing authorities since their use can improve performance and even interfere with accurate drug detection in post-race urine samples.
  • To address this issue, a threshold for plasma total carbon dioxide (TCO2) of 36.0 mmol/L has been established, with an action limit set at 37.0 mmol/L.
  • The serial administration of sodium bicarbonate, which involves several doses administered over a period, is a technique that’s popular amongst human athletes but had not been previously studied in horses.

Methodology

  • Five Standardbred horses were given sodium bicarbonate and an electrolyte-vitamin complex for three consecutive days via nasogastric intubation.
  • Blood samples were taken serially over five days, with the fifth day intended to be a ‘clear day’ i.e., a day without the bicarbonate administration.

Results

  • The first administration of bicarbonate led to a peak in plasma TCO2 at about 6 hours, which then returned to the baseline level by 23 hours.
  • On the second day, four of the five horses showed a TCO2 peak above the threshold level.
  • With each daily repeated dosing, the TCO2 peak in the horse’s plasma occurred progressively earlier, and the concentrations declined more rapidly.
  • On days four and five, which were clear days, the TCO2 levels remained low.

Conclusion

  • The study found that the serial administration of sodium bicarbonate, over three consecutive days, does not result in a cumulative or sustained elevation of plasma TCO2 levels beyond what is observed following a single dosage.
  • This finding is significant as it suggests that administering serial doses of sodium bicarbonate does not manipulate or artificially inflate measurements of TCO2 beyond acceptable levels in the horse’s system.

Cite This Article

APA
Bailey SR, Forbes G, Selvadurai N, McLarney K, Jones S, Steel CM. (2020). The effect of serial administration of bicarbonate on plasma total CO2 concentrations in horses. Drug Test Anal, 13(2), 397-403. https://doi.org/10.1002/dta.2937

Publication

Drug testing and analysis
ISSN: 1942-7611
NlmUniqueID: 101483449
Country: England
Language: English
Volume: 13
Issue: 2
Pages: 397-403

Researcher Affiliations

Bailey, Simon R
  • Melbourne Veterinary School, Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, University of Melbourne, Werribee, Victoria, Australia.
Forbes, Grace
  • Racing Victoria Ltd, Flemington, Victoria, Australia.
Selvadurai, Naomi
  • Racing Operations, Racing Analytical Services Limited, Flemington, Victoria, Australia.
McLarney, Katelin
  • Melbourne Veterinary School, Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, University of Melbourne, Werribee, Victoria, Australia.
Jones, Susan
  • Melbourne Veterinary School, Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, University of Melbourne, Werribee, Victoria, Australia.
Steel, Catherine M
  • Melbourne Veterinary School, Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, University of Melbourne, Werribee, Victoria, Australia.
  • The Hong Kong Jockey Club, Sha Tin Racecourse, New Territories, Hong Kong.

MeSH Terms

  • Animals
  • Blood Gas Analysis
  • Carbon Dioxide / blood
  • Doping in Sports
  • Horses / blood
  • Sodium Bicarbonate / administration & dosage
  • Sodium Bicarbonate / pharmacology

Grant Funding

  • Racing Victoria Ltd

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