Xenon

[the sceptic]

http://www.economist.com/news/scien...-gas-improves-athletes-performance-breathe-it

Xenon works its magic by activating production of a protein called Hif-1 alpha. This acts as a transcription factor: a chemical switch that turns on production of a variety of other proteins, one of which is EPO. Artificially raising levels of EPO, by injecting synthetic versions of the hormone or by taking so-called Hif stabilisers (drugs that discourage the breakdown of Hif-1 alpha), is illegal under the rules of the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA). Other methods of boosting the hormone, however, are permissible—and that fact has not gone unnoticed by the Russian sports authorities. Athletes are allowed to live or train at altitude, or sleep in a low-oxygen tent, in order to stimulate red-cell production. If xenon treatment is merely replicating low-oxygen environments by replacing oxygen with xenon, then its use to enhance athletic performance is permissible.

The benefits, the manual suggests, include increasing heart and lung capacity, preventing muscle fatigue, boosting testosterone and improving an athlete’s mood. Similar benefits have been noted in papers in Russian scientific journals, and in conference presentations describing tests of xenon on mountain climbers, paddlers, soldiers and pilots.

Something the published Russian reports do not go into, however, are measurements of EPO or Hif-1 alpha. Yet animal studies elsewhere have demonstrated xenon’s dramatic effects on both. One such, carried out in 2009 by Mervyn Maze at Imperial College, London, found that exposing mice to a mixture of 70% xenon and 30% oxygen for two hours more than doubled the animals’ EPO levels a day later. Another, by Xiaoqiang Ding of Fudan University in Shanghai, found that Hif-1 alpha levels in mice stayed high for up to 48 hours after treatment. By contrast, mice put in a low-oxygen enclosure saw an EPO increase that lasted less than two hours.

Anyone want to take a guess on whether cyclists are using this?

 

[Briant_Gumble]

Even the economist is weighing in on anti-drugs in sport? Business in the anti doping industry is booming.

 

[ToreBear]

Knowing cyclists, we will probably quickly discover why it was not such a good doping tool after all.

Who needs lab rats when a cyclist will pay you to do your job for you. And there is no need for any animal welfare monitoring either. Perfect!

 

[gooner]

Seen this a couple of days ago.

On the eve of the Sochi Winter Olympics the World Anti-Doping Agency has condemned evidence of the availability in Russia of an undetectable new muscle-growth drug as "shocking".

The German broadcaster WDR, which has a strong track record in investigating doping in sport, sent undercover reporters to meet a scientist from the Russian Academy of Sciences in Moscow. The journalist was offered a drug called Full Size MGF, which is currently being tested legitimately in Russia on animals by scientists investigating its biochemical effects.

The scientist tells the reporter that the drug "works two times faster than a normal muscle tonic and cannot be detected by the doping authorities".

The undercover journalist, who was given 1mg of the drug to test it, was then told that it would cost €100,000 to "prepare" an athlete adequately for the Winter Games.

http://www.theguardian.com/sport/20...-drug-evidence-world-anti-doping-agency-sochi

 

[red_flanders]

I thought this was about the old pinball game. I was definitely on drugs playing that.

 

[Catwhoorg]

There really isn't a lot of science in that article (Well any really)

This did leap out though:

If xenon treatment is merely replicating low-oxygen environments by replacing oxygen with xenon, then its use to enhance athletic performance is permissible

In which case why go to the trouble of xenon, plain simple nitrogen would do the job, and is much easier to find, which is pretty much the principle of the 'altitude tent', reducing the O2 a little to simulate sleeping at altitude.

 

[DirtyWorks]

..why go to the trouble of xenon, plain simple nitrogen would do the job, and is much easier to find, which is pretty much the principle of the 'altitude tent', reducing the O2 a little to simulate sleeping at altitude.

That first post was a little long. The EPO is apparently MUCH longer-lived using xeon.

Another, by Xiaoqiang Ding of Fudan University in Shanghai, found that Hif-1 alpha levels in mice stayed high for up to 48 hours after treatment. By contrast, mice put in a low-oxygen enclosure saw an EPO increase that lasted less than two hours.

 

[Catwhoorg]

Thanks.

Been a long day in the office, and I really couldn't see the wood for the trees.

 

[Granville57]

What I don't understand from that article is this:

Whether xenon treatment will pass muster if and when WADA scrutinises it remains to be seen—and will no doubt depend on the finer points of the gas’s biological action, many of which are still muddy.

WADA seems to be pretty clear about such matters:

PROHIBITED METHODS

M1. MANIPULATION OF BLOOD AND BLOOD COMPONENTS
2. Artificially enhancing the uptake, transport or delivery of oxygen...

http://www.wada-ama.org/en/

 

[proffate]

What I don't understand from that article is this:


WADA seems to be pretty clear about such matters:

PROHIBITED METHODS

M1. MANIPULATION OF BLOOD AND BLOOD COMPONENTS
2. Artificially enhancing the uptake, transport or delivery of oxygen...

http://www.wada-ama.org/en/

a hypoxic tent is "artificial" yet it's permitted

 

[Granville57]

a hypoxic tent is "artificial" yet it's permitted

Hmmm. Indeed.

That led me to a few things.

From the bio-passport form:

7. The Athlete Biological Passport Doping Control Form
c) Did the Athlete use any form of altitude simulation such as a hypoxic tent, mask, etc. during the previous two weeks and, if so, the type of device and the manner in which it was used (frequency, duration, intensity, etc.)?
http://www.wada-ama.org/Documents/Resources/Guidelines/WADA_ABP_OperatingGuidelines_EN_2.1.pdf

Back in 2006...

World Anti-Doping Agency Seeks Unprecedented Ban on Altitude Training
http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/world-anti-doping-agency-seeks-unprecedented-ban-on-altitude-training-56170177.html


WADA: Altitude Simulation Not Banned, Improves Performance
http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/wada-altitude-simulation-not-banned-improves-performance-57052082.html

A questionably skewed perspective is offered from Colorado Altitude Training.

 

[42x16ss]

That first post was a little long. The EPO is apparently MUCH longer-lived using xeon.

Another, by Xiaoqiang Ding of Fudan University in Shanghai, found that Hif-1 alpha levels in mice stayed high for up to 48 hours after treatment. By contrast, mice put in a low-oxygen enclosure saw an EPO increase that lasted less than two hours.

How though? Is this because Xenon is inert and would remain in the body longer? If so, that would make it easy to detect, because it isn't exactly a common substance in the body and it can't react with any cells or molecules to break down.

I'm a bit sceptical on this one...

 

[Alex Simmons/RST]

a hypoxic tent is "artificial" yet it's permitted

So are air conditioners and heaters.


Xenon's used in anaesthesia isn't it? A noble pursuit you might say.

 

[slowup_fastdown]

Xenon's used in anaesthesia isn't it? A noble pursuit you might say.

Lol! That was terrible!

 

[42x16ss]

So are air conditioners and heaters.


Xenon's used in anaesthesia isn't it? A noble pursuit you might say.

Lol

Yes, it's used as a general anaesthetic. It was approved in Russia around 2000 and the EU and US around 2005. From what I could find it seems that xenon reduces the after effects of a general anaesthetic compared to previous methods and the patient is more cardio vascularly and haematologically stable. Not sure how it provides a performance advantage though The cost is still a bit outrageous as well apparently.

http://web.archive.org/web/20070813212536/http://www.expresshealthcaremgmt.com/20050515/criticare10.shtml

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18475253

It's also used as a neuroprotectant.

 

[Dear Wiggo]

Anaesthetics is Coggan's area.

 

[42x16ss]

Doesn't FrankDay have experience as an anaethetist too?

 

[GreasyMonkey]

Anaesthetics is Coggan's area.

Doesn't FrankDay have experience as an anaethetist too?

They both manage to put a lot of people to sleep, that is for sure.....

 

[Alex Simmons/RST]

Q: Why did the noble gas cry?
A: Because all his friends argon.

Xenon walks into a bar and asks the bartender for a drink. The bartender says "Sorry, we don't serve noble gases here." Xenon doesn't react.

 

[ChewbaccaD]

I found a picture of everyone posting on this thread.

 

[simoni]

http://www.economist.com/news/scien...-gas-improves-athletes-performance-breathe-it

Anyone want to take a guess on whether cyclists are using this?

"One such, carried out in 2009 by Mervyn Maze at Imperial College, London, found that exposing mice to a mixture of 70% xenon and 30% oxygen for two hours more than doubled the animals’ EPO levels a day later."

Point of clarification - what does a doubling of EPO levels actually mean? This isn't the same as haemo increases. If you inject EPO is that 2x, 3x, 100x normal levels? Is doubling significant or not?

 

[Fortyninefourteen]

http://www.economist.com/news/scien...-gas-improves-athletes-performance-breathe-it

I will begin sucking on the headlights of my Audi today.

 

[vedrafjord]

Think it's been known for a long time that ingested cobalt boosts EPO the same way (via HIF-1) and is a billion times cheaper, although apparently not as effectively (it doesn't stimulate HIF-2 - does xenon?).

 

[proffate]

I guess a hypoxic tent is permissible because it (supposedly) simulates a natural environment. It doesn't actually do a very good job of simulating altitude and doesn't confer real benefit to the user, but that's the theory behind it.

Xenon on the other hand wouldn't simulate any known natural environment. If they find a subterranean cave on Tenerife that is naturally full of Xenon and cyclists start sleeping there, then artificial recreations of it would be acceptable.

 

[ToreBear]

I saw a program a while ago related to the sochi olympics. I think it was on youtube and made by RT (Russia today).

In the part about xenon, they were talking about benefits in aiding recovery and sleep.

Now one thing to remember is also mentioned in the video: Russia is one of the major producers of medical grade Xenon. So an expansion of areas where it can be used = increased profits.

So be very critical when looking at research papers. Someone might be trying to sell you something.