- Mar 16, 2010
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I came across Steve Magness's blog recently - it's not a cycling blog, he's a runner, but he's currently completing his Masters degree in Exercise Science, and he's written for New Studies in Athletics and Running Times.
In his blog, he posts the worrying proposition that HIF-PH inhibitors and Affymax's product 'Hematide' are most likely starting to be used by athletes now, a view that French Anti-doping Agency president Pierre Bodry voiced last summer when the Tour was finishing.
To quote Steve;
"HIF-PH inhibitors:
What is so special about this drug is that it isn't synthetic EPO. It is not injectable either. It's simply a pill that you swallow.
"HIF is the pathway that controls EPO gene transcription. In each cell, this pathway regulates a number of different responses related to hypoxia (lack of oxygen). Normally, the pathway is activated by hypoxia, or an increase in Reactive Oxygen Species (think of Free Radicals and antioxidants..). Under normal conditions, the main portein HIF-1a is basically destroyed. Under hypoxic conditions, it isn't destroyed.
"When HIF-1a isn't destroyed and is stabilized it leads to an increase in EPO gene transcription and ultimately translation. That basically means that more EPO is made. EPO then can go to its receptors on young RBC's and prevent them from being destroyed. This all leads to the increased RBC mass/hemoglobin that we all are familiar with.
"Hematide:
This is a new drug that is also not synthetic EPO. Instead, it is a peptide that has been found to mimic EPO. Basically, structurally it is nothing like EPO, but functionally it does the same thing. So, even though it's not EPO, it can come in and bind to the EPO receptors and create an increase in EPO/RBC.
Same game, just the goalposts have moved again.
Martin (Editor)
In his blog, he posts the worrying proposition that HIF-PH inhibitors and Affymax's product 'Hematide' are most likely starting to be used by athletes now, a view that French Anti-doping Agency president Pierre Bodry voiced last summer when the Tour was finishing.
To quote Steve;
"HIF-PH inhibitors:
What is so special about this drug is that it isn't synthetic EPO. It is not injectable either. It's simply a pill that you swallow.
"HIF is the pathway that controls EPO gene transcription. In each cell, this pathway regulates a number of different responses related to hypoxia (lack of oxygen). Normally, the pathway is activated by hypoxia, or an increase in Reactive Oxygen Species (think of Free Radicals and antioxidants..). Under normal conditions, the main portein HIF-1a is basically destroyed. Under hypoxic conditions, it isn't destroyed.
"When HIF-1a isn't destroyed and is stabilized it leads to an increase in EPO gene transcription and ultimately translation. That basically means that more EPO is made. EPO then can go to its receptors on young RBC's and prevent them from being destroyed. This all leads to the increased RBC mass/hemoglobin that we all are familiar with.
"Hematide:
This is a new drug that is also not synthetic EPO. Instead, it is a peptide that has been found to mimic EPO. Basically, structurally it is nothing like EPO, but functionally it does the same thing. So, even though it's not EPO, it can come in and bind to the EPO receptors and create an increase in EPO/RBC.
Same game, just the goalposts have moved again.
Martin (Editor)