Biochemical markers of insulin-like growth factor-I misuse in athletes: the response of serum IGF-I, procollagen type III amino-terminal propeptide, and the GH-2000 score to the administration of rhIGF-I/rhIGF binding protein-3 complex.

Context: The GH-2000 and GH-2004 research groups developed a method for detecting GH misuse in athletes based on the measurement of serum IGF-I and procollagen type III amino-terminal propeptide (P-III-NP). There are reports that IGF-I is also misused by athletes, but currently there is no internationally recognized test designed to detect recombinant human IGF-I misuse.

Objective: The objective of the study was to examine the response of serum IGF-I, P-III-NP, and the GH-2000 score to recombinant human (rh) IGF-I/rhIGF binding protein-3 (IGFBP-3) administration in recreational athletes.

Biochemical markers of recombinant human insulin-like growth factor-I (rhIGF-I)/rhIGF binding protein-3 (rhIGFBP-3) misuse in athletes.

Insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) is reportedly misused by elite athletes, either alone or with growth hormone (GH). The GH-2000 and GH-2004 research groups previously developed a method for detecting GH misuse based on the GH-sensitive markers IGF-I and procollagen type III amino-terminal propeptide (P-III-NP). Both markers increase in response to rhIGF-I/rhIGF binding protein-3 (rhIGFBP-3) administration in recreational athletes.

The effects of a freeze-thaw cycle and pre-analytical storage temperature on the stability of insulin-like growth factor-I and pro-collagen type III N-terminal propeptide concentrations: Implications for the detection of growth hormone misuse in athletes.

A method based on two serum biomarkers - insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) and pro-collagen type III N-terminal propeptide (P-III-NP) - has been devised to detect growth hormone (GH) misuse. The aims of this study were to determine the stability of IGF-I and P-III-NP concentrations in serum stored at -20°C and to establish the effects of one freeze-thaw cycle. Blood was collected from 20 healthy volunteers.

The development of decision limits for the implementation of the GH-2000 detection methodology using current commercial insulin-like growth factor-I and amino-terminal pro-peptide of type III collagen assays.

Background: The GH-2000 project developed a method for detecting GH misuse based on the measurement of insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) and the amino-terminal pro-peptide of type III collagen (P-III-NP). The objective of this study was to develop decision limits for the GH-2000 score to detect GH misuse in elite athletes using two currently available commercial assays for each analyte.

Subjects: 404 male (mean age 23.

Growth hormone doping: a review.

The use of growth hormone (GH) as a performance enhancing substance was first promoted in lay publications, long before scientists fully acknowledged its benefits. It is thought athletes currently use GH to enhance their athletic performance and to accelerate the healing of sporting injuries. Over recent years, a number of high profile athletes have admitted to using GH.

The GH-2004 project: the response of IGF1 and type III pro-collagen to the administration of exogenous GH in non-Caucasian amateur athletes.

Context: The GH-2000 team proposed a method based on IGF1 and type III pro-collagen (P-III-P) to detect exogenously administered GH. As previous studies involved predominantly white European athletes, it is important to assess whether the response of these markers to recombinant human GH (rhGH) differs with ethnicity.

Objective: To examine the response of serum IGF1 and P-III-P and GH-2000 score to rhGH in non-Caucasian amateur athletes.

Serum insulin-like growth factor-I and pro-collagen type III N-terminal peptide in adolescent elite athletes: implications for the detection of growth hormone abuse in sport.

Context: A method based on two GH-dependent markers, IGF-I and pro-collagen type III N-terminal peptide (P-III-P), has been devised to detect exogenously administered GH. Because previous studies on the detection of GH abuse involved predominantly adult athletes, the method must be validated in adolescent athletes.

Objective: The aim of the study was to examine serum IGF-I and P-III-P concentrations in elite adolescent athletes and to determine whether the method developed in adults is appropriate to detect GH abuse in this population.

Insulin-like growth factor I and insulin and their abuse in sport.

It is believed that insulin and insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) are abused by professional athletes, either alone or in combination with growth hormone (GH) and anabolic steroids. The recent introduction of IGF-I to clinical practice is likely to increase its availability and abuse. Insulin and IGF-I work together with GH to control the supply of nutrients to tissues in the fasted and fed state.

The use of growth hormone (GH)-dependent markers in the detection of GH abuse in sport: Physiological intra-individual variation of IGF-I, type 3 pro-collagen (P-III-P) and the GH-2000 detection score.

Background: Growth Hormone is abused by athletes for its lipolytic and anabolic properties. Its use is prohibited by the World Anti-Doping Agency. The GH-2000 project developed a methodology to detect its abuse using the concentrations of two GH-dependent biomarkers, IGF-I and type 3 procollagen (P-III-P).

Statistical issues in implementing the marker method.

The detection of growth hormone (GH) abuse by athletes raises statistical problems as well as biochemical ones. We outline the statistical approaches to the various issues which have arisen during the work of the GH-2000 and GH-2004 teams; in particular, it considers the need to develop a test which detects GH abuse in any elite athlete 'beyond reasonable doubt'. The test needs to be robust enough to withstand legal challenge, while minimising the risk of false accusation.

Moving one step closer to catching the GH cheats: The GH-2004 experience.

Growth hormone is abused by athletes for its anabolic and lipolytic properties. The detection of GH abuse is challenging because it is an endogenous hormone whose concentration varies widely in any one day. The GH-2000 project proposed a test based on the measurement of IGF-I and type III pro-collagen (P-III-P).

The history of doping and growth hormone abuse in sport.

The earliest records of doping in sport come from the Ancient Olympics games when athletes are reported to have taken figs to improve their performance. With the advent of modern pharmacology in the 19th century, many athletes began to experiment with cocktails of drugs to improve strength and overcome fatigue. As this practice was not illegal, there are good records of the lengths athletes would go to in order to win.

A determination of the pre-analytical storage conditions for insulin like growth factor-I and type III procollagen peptide.

Objective: IGF-I and type III procollagen (P-III-P) have been proposed as markers to detect GH abuse. This study aims to determine whether the pre-analytical storage temperature or delayed centrifugation affect the measured IGF-I and P-III-P concentrations.

Design: Observational study.

Influence of ethnicity on IGF-I and procollagen III peptide (P-III-P) in elite athletes and its effect on the ability to detect GH abuse.

Context: A method based on the two GH dependent markers, IGF-I and procollagen III peptide (P-III-P) has been proposed to detect exogenously administered GH. As previous studies involved predominantly white European elite athletes, it is necessary to validate the method in other ethnic groups.

Objective: To examine serum IGF-I and P-III-P in elite athletes of different ethnicities within 2 h of competing at national or international events.

The effect of sports injury on insulin-like growth factor-I and type 3 procollagen: implications for detection of growth hormone abuse in athletes.

Context: A method to detect exogenously administered growth hormone (GH) based on the measurement of two GH-dependent markers, IGF-I and type 3 procollagen (P-III-P) has been proposed. Skeletal or soft tissue injury may alter these markers. Elevations in either of these proteins after injury might lead to a false accusation of doping with GH.

Validation of the growth hormone (GH)-dependent marker method of detecting GH abuse in sport through the use of independent data sets.

Context: The detection of exogenously administered growth hormone (GH) poses a formidable challenge but a detection method based on the measurement of two GH-dependent markers, IGF-I and type 3 pro-collagen (P-III-P) has been proposed. The measurement of multiple markers in conjunction with discriminant functions can improve the sensitivity and specificity of detection compared with single marker analysis.

Objective: To provide further validation of the GH-dependent marker approach.