Examination of Firearms Review: 2007 to 2010 - Interpol

for medical reasons or for blood doping to increase athletic performance are
potentially exposed to the plasticizer di-(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate (DEHP) found
in IV bags. A study showed that elevated concentrations of urinary DEHP
metabolites collected from athletes may suggest illegal blood transfusions, and
can therefore be used as a qualitative screening measure for blood doping
[404].
With the recent technical improvements in genetic manipulation there is
mounting concern over the possibility of such technology being abused by
athletes in their quest for improved performance. A review of the literature was
conducted to identify the genes and methodologies most likely to be used for
gene doping, and the technologies that might be used to identify such doping
[405]. Although there is currently no evidence that gene doping has yet been
undertaken in competitive athletes, the anti-doping authorities will need to
remain vigilant in reviewing this rapidly emerging technology. So far, the abuse
of gene transfer technology in sport is undetectable. However, recent studies
in somatic gene therapy indicated that long-term presence of transgenic DNA
(tDNA) following various gene transfer protocols can be found in DNA isolated
from whole blood using conventional PCR protocols [406]. Application of these
protocols for the direct detection of gene doping would require almost
complete knowledge about the sequence of the genetic information that has
been transferred. A novel single-copy primer-internal intron-spanning PCR
(spiPCR) procedure that overcomes this difficulty has been developed and
reported [406].
In the post-genome era, genetic- and molecular-based tests are being
evaluated as potential approaches to detect new and sophisticated forms of
doping. Transcriptome analysis, in which a tissue's complement of mRNA
transcripts is characterized, is one such method. The quantity and composition
of a tissue's transcriptome is highly reflective of milieu and metabolic activity. A
review has briefly described the current understanding of transcriptomes,
common methods of global analysis of gene expression, and non-invasive
sample sources, focusing on the potential to apply this approach in doping
control [407].
3.3.6.4 Horse racing
Two LC-MS methods with direct injection analysis were developed and
validated for the quantification and identification of hydrocortisone in equine
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