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

Erotokritou-Mulligan, Ioulietta, Bassett, E. Eryl, Kniess, Astrid, Sönksen, Peter H. and Holt, Richard I.G. (2007) Validation of the growth hormone (GH)-dependent marker method of detecting GH abuse in sport through the use of independent data sets. Growth Hormone & IGF Research, 17 (5), 416-423. (doi:10.1016/j.ghir.2007.04.013).

Abstract

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. DESIGN: Analysis of discriminant function scores for GH detection on independent datasets. SETTING: Two independent (GH-2000 and Kreischa) double blind, placebo controlled, hGH administration studies. SUBJECTS: Healthy active male volunteers. INTERVENTION: GH-2000 proposed a discriminant function involving IGF-I and P-III- P while the Kreischa function involved IGF-I, P-III-P and IGFBP-3. After adjustment for assay differences the formulae were applied to the other dataset. OUTCOME MEASURES: Ability to detect GH use in independent datasets using a predefined specificity of approximately 1 in 10000. RESULTS: The GH-2000 formula was able to detect 90% of those receiving GH in the Kreischa study at one or more time points during the study period. This sensitivity was similar to that obtained on the original GH-2000 dataset. The Kreischa formula correctly identified 41% of individuals receiving GH in the GH-2000 study. CONCLUSIONS: The study provides further validation that the test proposed by GH-2000 based on IGF-I and P-III-P concentrations can be used to detect subjects receiving exogenous GH.

This record has no associated files available for download.

Contributors

Author: Richard I.G. Holt

Download statistics