Profiling of 19-norandrosterone sulfate and glucuronide in human urine: implications in athlete's drug testing

Steroids. 2009 Mar;74(3):359-64. doi: 10.1016/j.steroids.2008.11.005. Epub 2008 Nov 13.

Abstract

19-Norandrosterone (19-NA) as its glucuronide derivative is the target metabolite in anti-doping testing to reveal an abuse of nandrolone or nandrolone prohormone. To provide further evidence of a doping with these steroids, the sulfoconjugate form of 19-norandrosterone in human urine might be monitored as well. In the present study, the profiling of sulfate and glucuronide derivatives of 19-norandrosterone together with 19-noretiocholanolone (19-NE) were assessed in the spot urines of 8 male subjects, collected after administration of 19-nor-4-androstenedione (100mg). An LC/MS/MS assay was employed for the direct quantification of sulfoconjugates, whereas a standard GC/MS method was applied for the assessment of glucuroconjugates in urine specimens. Although the 19-NA glucuronide derivative was always the most prominent at the excretion peak, inter-individual variability of the excretion patterns was observed for both conjugate forms of 19-NA and 19-NE. The ratio between the glucuro- and sulfoconjugate derivatives of 19-NA and 19-NE could not discriminate the endogenous versus the exogenous origin of the parent compound. However, after ingestion of 100mg 19-nor-4-androstenedione, it was observed in the urine specimens that the sulfate conjugates of 19-NA was detectable over a longer period of time with respect to the other metabolites. These findings indicate that more interest shall be given to this type of conjugation to deter a potential doping with norsteroids.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Chromatography, Liquid
  • Corticosterone / analogs & derivatives*
  • Corticosterone / urine
  • Doping in Sports*
  • Estranes / urine*
  • Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Substance Abuse Detection / methods*
  • Tandem Mass Spectrometry
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • 19-norandrosterone glucuronide
  • Estranes
  • 19-norcorticosterone
  • Corticosterone