Recombinant human erythropoietin (rhEPO) has been abused as a performance enhancer in sports for several years, but with advancements in detection methods, even micro-doses can be detected in dried blood spot (DBS) samples. Here, we present the results from an Eporatio® (epoetin theta) micro-dose administration study to detect rhEPO in DBS samples. Five healthy male volunteers received a 15 IU/kg subcutaneous dose of Eporatio®. Urine and DBS samples (Mitra® VAMS and Capitainer® B50) were collected 1, 10, 24, 36, 48 and 72 h after drug administration. After 1 h, all urine samples were negative for rhEPO, whereas 40% of DBS samples were considered suspicious. All samples between 10 and 48 h were suspicious for the presence of Eporatio®, except one urine sample that was negative at 48 h. After 72 h, 40% of urine samples and 60% of DBS samples were suspicious and would have proceeded to a confirmation analysis. DBS is an efficient complementary matrix to urine for detection of rhEPO micro-doses.
Keywords: Eporatio®; doping; dried blood spot (DBS); erythropoietin (EPO).
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