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pccantidoping.bsky.social
Partnership for Clean Competition
@pccantidoping.bsky.social
250 followers 53 following 890 posts
We support analytical/social scientists doing anti-doping research via grants, postdoctoral fellowships, tech transfer, & working groups. PIs worldwide may apply.
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pccantidoping.bsky.social
Could antidepressant misuse be an #antidoping concern in #esports? In this review, researchers examine potential health risks, performance effects, and detection methods, calling for more research and monitoring to protect player health and ensure fair competition.

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42576665/
The image shows details about the paper linked in the post. It was published in the journal Drug Testing and Analysis. The title of the paper is, "Antidepressant Misuse in Esports: A Review of Pharmacology, Adverse Effects, Pharmacokinetics and Biomatrix-Based Detection for Anti-Doping Applications."
October 12, 2026 at 5:12 PM
pccantidoping.bsky.social
In this article, authors share how blood-based matrices are better suited than urine for detecting certain types of prohibited substances & tracking relevant biomarkers in the Athlete Biological Passport, as well as how matrix selection affects detection & analysis.
pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42764756/
The image shows details about the paper linked in the post. It was published in the journal Bioanalysis. The title of the paper is, "From urine to serum: blood-based matrices reshape the future of anti-doping testing."
October 9, 2026 at 8:42 PM
pccantidoping.bsky.social
Small structural differences in steroids can affect how they are metabolized & detected. Authors compared the metabolism of 2 synthetic steroids (4-CT & 6-CT). Despite differing only in the position of a chlorine atom, they had notably different metabolic profiles.

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42764011/
The image shows details about the paper linked in the post. It was published in the journal Drug Testing and Analysis. The title of the article is, "Metabolic Consequences of Chlorine Position in Testosterone Analogs: A GC-MS Study of C4- Versus C6-Chlorotestosterone Biotransformation."
October 7, 2026 at 3:37 PM
pccantidoping.bsky.social
From an NBA hopeful to law school to sports and entertainment, and now a PCC Board Member, Stephen Starks has done it all. Stephen sits on the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency's (USADA) Board of Directors and now represents USADA on the PCC’s Board of Governors.

cleancompetition.org/anti-doping-...
182 - Sports Law, Leadership, and the Future of Clean Sport - Stephen Starks, JD - PCC - Global Anti-Doping Research Grants for Scientists and Researchers
0.75x 1x 1.25x 1.5x 2x 0:0035:53 182 – Sports Law, Leadership, and the Future of Clean Sport – Stephen Starks, JD Apple PodcastsGoogle PodcastsPlayer EmbedShare Leave a ReviewListen in a New WindowDow...
cleancompetition.org
October 6, 2026 at 1:57 PM
pccantidoping.bsky.social
This review article examines innovations & advances in microsampling techniques, technologies, sample preparation, and analyses. These include microsampling devices used in anti-doping testing and use of new analytical workflows to detect protein & peptide doping agents.
pubs.rsc.org/ay/article/d...
The image shows details about the article linked in the post. It was published in the journal Analytical Methods. The title of the article is, "Microsampling of proteins from biological matrices: sampling methods and devices, typical workflows, clinical examples, novel applications and innovations."
October 5, 2026 at 5:05 PM
pccantidoping.bsky.social
Authors developed methods to detect the synthetic peptide retatrutide & reported on excretion profiles in plasma & urine. It was only detectable in plasma & had a long detection window (~50 days). This shows plasma is a suitable matrix for retatrutide detection.

pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC...
The image shows details about the paper linked in the post. It was published in Rapid Communications in Mass Spectrometry. The title of the article is, "Detection and Excretion Profile of Retatrutide in Human Plasma and Urine by LC‐HRMS: Implications for Antidoping Analysis."
October 1, 2026 at 7:56 PM
pccantidoping.bsky.social
We're excited to share findings from Dr. John Eiler's PCC-funded research. He developed an orbitrap-based mass spectrometry method that provides multidimensional isotope fingerprints. The approach could help identify the sources of steroids in anti-doping samples.

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42752109/
The image shows details about the paper linked in the post. It was published in the journal Analytical Chemistry. The title of the article is, "Fragment-Resolved Carbon and Hydrogen Isotope Analysis of Urinary Steroids by Orbitrap Mass Spectrometry."
September 30, 2026 at 5:11 PM
pccantidoping.bsky.social
Steroids have long been banned in sport, but the risks of using them go beyond sitting out from competition. Dr. Aaron Baggish discussed the long-term consequences of doping and why doing it with medical supervision doesn’t necessarily make it safer.

cleancompetition.org/anti-doping-podcast/181
The text at the top reads, "Partnership for Clean Competition, The Anti-Doping Podcast." Below, there is a quote from guest Aaron Baggish, PhD from the University of Lausanne. The quote reads, "When people use testosterone or one of the synthetic derivatives for the purpose of enhancing performance, they’re typically doing it at what we would call supraphysiologic doses, meaning doses that lead to blood levels that are far in excess of what the normal body would make. This is very different than going to your doctor and getting testosterone replacement because you have hypogonadism or have low testosterone production." There is a headshot photo of Aaron in the lower left.
September 29, 2026 at 2:10 PM
pccantidoping.bsky.social
Researchers developed & validated methods to detect testosterone & its metabolites using supercritical fluid chromatography that expedite separation & evaporation steps. Results using the new method were comparable to those obtained via common HPLC-based procedures.
pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42764208/
The image shows details about the article linked in the post. It was published in the journal Drug Testing and Analysis. The title of the article is, "Supercritical Fluid Chromatography for Expedited Sample Clean-Up in Isotope Ratio Mass Spectrometry Including Cholesterol as New Endogenous Reference Compound."
September 25, 2026 at 6:40 PM
pccantidoping.bsky.social
The PCC is heading to Chattanooga for the 2026 Science Symposium hosted by one of our founding members, USADA. We’re looking forward to a weekend full of updates, findings, and real-world anti-doping applications from top labs and researchers globally.

Learn more:
www.usada.org/science-rese...
This is a screenshot from the link in the post. It shows the Science and Research page of the USADA website.
September 24, 2026 at 4:24 PM
pccantidoping.bsky.social
Steroids are one of the most common substances of abuse for athletes who dope, but improved performance comes with a cost. In our new podcast episode, we talked Dr. Aaron Baggish about what athletes are truly risking when they decide to use performance enhancing drugs.
September 23, 2026 at 2:42 PM
pccantidoping.bsky.social
Authors review anti-doping applications of mass spectrometry, particularly advanced platforms. They also examine studies to date on microsampling, microextraction, and other sample pretreatment approaches. This may help labs choose methods that best fit their needs.
pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42609009/
The image shows details about the paper linked in the post. It was published in the journal Critical Reviews in Analytical Chemistry. The title of the article is, "Mass Spectrometry-Based Anti-Doping Analysis: A Critical Review of Emerging Analytical and Sample Pretreatment Strategies."
September 21, 2026 at 4:35 PM
pccantidoping.bsky.social
Authors tested the reproducibility of serum androgen profiles in 5,500+ samples from 1,600+ elite athletes. Their data provide insights into the expected variability of serum T, DHT, A4, and their ratios. This may help identify abnormal variations in the ABP. 🚫💊 🧪

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42374920/
The image shows details about the article linked in the post. It was published in the journal Drug Testing and Analysis, and the title of the article is, "Reproducibility of Serum Androgen Concentrations by Liquid Chromatography Mass Spectrometry in Healthy Male and Female Athletes."
September 18, 2026 at 4:49 PM
pccantidoping.bsky.social
Authors developed and validated highly sensitive methods to detect T-esters in urine sample. With this approach, doping with exogenous testosterone can be directly identified using just urine samples. This is especially valuable if a blood sample was not collected.

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42309655/
The image shows details about the paper linked in the post. It was published in the journal Drug Testing And Analysis. The title of the paper is, "Detection of Testosterone Esters in Urine: Evidence of Trace-Level Detectability in Doping Control Samples."
September 16, 2026 at 3:59 PM
pccantidoping.bsky.social
Accurately estimating plasma volume matters in anti-doping. In this podcast episode, Dr. Bastien Krumm discussed his work developing a machine learning approach to estimate the volume of plasma in blood samples, and how this can help with interpreting Athlete Biological Passport data.
September 15, 2026 at 4:29 PM
pccantidoping.bsky.social
To better understand how RU 58841 may impact ABP interpretation, authors examined the drug's metabolism & the extent of systemic exposure. Though the drug & its metabolites were detected in urine & dried blood, 1 topical dose didn't confound the ABP steroid profile.
pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42615108/
Investigation Into the Metabolism and Elimination Behavior of RU 58841, and Its Influence on the Steroid Profile in Humans
RU 58841 is a nonsteroidal antiandrogen, developed for the treatment of androgen-dependent conditions. This study aimed to characterize the human metabolism of RU 58841 for the first time and to asse...
analyticalsciencejournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com
September 14, 2026 at 6:55 PM
pccantidoping.bsky.social
What challenges & questions remain in anti-doping social sciences research? Authors critically examine the state of the science & consider steps towards meaningful progress. They advocate for further research capacity-building, diversifying models, & other changes.

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41371322/
The image shows details about the article linked in the post. It was published in the journal Psychology of Sport and Exercise. The title of the article is, "Progress or performance in anti-doping (social science) research? A critical reflection on achievements and future directions."
September 11, 2026 at 3:52 PM
pccantidoping.bsky.social
Troponin activators are prohibited at all times in sport. Authors developed a rapid, simple, sensitive, and reliable method to screen for 6 troponin activators using dried urine spots. The dried urine spot samples had higher long-term stability versus liquid urine.

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42447638/
The image provides details about the paper linked in the post. It was published in the Journal of Chromatography A. The title of the paper is, "Dried urine spot strategy coupled with UHPLC-MS/MS for the analysis of troponin activators."
September 9, 2026 at 2:49 PM
pccantidoping.bsky.social
Does machine learning have the potential to improve plasma volume estimation? In our latest podcast episode, we talked with Dr. Bastien Krumm about factors that influence plasma volume fluctuations and what they mean for the athlete biological passport.
September 8, 2026 at 4:50 PM
pccantidoping.bsky.social
Authors used advanced analytic techniques to identify an unknown compound found in a supplement purchased online. The compound was identified as 6-BrAED, a designer steroid that is prohibited at all times as a non-approved substance.

analyticalsciencejournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/...
The image shows details about the article linked in the post. It was published in the journal Drug Testing And Analysis. The title of the article is, "Chemical Characterization of an Emerging Designer Steroid, 6-Bromo-androst-4-en-3,17-dione, via NMR and LC-HRMS and GC-HRMS."
September 4, 2026 at 5:14 PM
pccantidoping.bsky.social
Increasing efficiency, cost-effectiveness, sensitivity, specificity, & sustainability are key goals in anti-doping. In line with these goals, authors successfully applied the Bar Adsorptive MicroExtraction method to identify cocaine and 3 metabolites in human urine.

www.nature.com/articles/s41...
The image shows details about the article linked in the post. It was published in the journal Scientific Reports. The title of the article is, "Bar adsorptive microextraction for the qualitative detection of cocaine and its metabolites in urine for anti-doping control."
September 2, 2026 at 6:17 PM
pccantidoping.bsky.social
Can a new high-resolution mass spectrometry (HRMS) approach improve detection of small molecule doping agents? Don’t miss our latest podcast episode with Dr. Kara Lynch where she discusses work establishing HRMS as a method for doping analysis.
September 1, 2026 at 4:23 PM
pccantidoping.bsky.social
Anti-doping requires contributions from many experts. Drs. Susan Backhouse & Laurie Patterson describe how psychological research has enhanced our understanding of doping in sport. They describe scientific advances, challenges, & areas for future research. 🚫💊 🧪

www.sciencedirect.com/.../pii/S146...
The image shows details about the article linked in the text. It was published in the journal Psychology of Sport and Exercise. The title of the article is, "Bridging research and practice in the psychology of doping in sport: Reflections and future directions."
August 31, 2026 at 3:55 PM
pccantidoping.bsky.social
To avoid doping detection, synthetic urine may be substituted or used to dilute an authentic sample. Authors examined approaches to detect synthetic urine. All approaches flagged pure synthetic urine. In particular, EA-IRMS could complement anti-doping analyses.

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42312799/
This image shows details about the paper linked in the post. It was published in the journal Drub Testing And Analysis. The title of the paper is, "Identification of Synthetic Urine by Analysis of Stable Carbon and Nitrogen Isotope Ratios and Comparison to Established GC-MS/MS and LC-MS/MS Analysis."
August 28, 2026 at 6:40 PM
pccantidoping.bsky.social
We’re two years away from the Opening Ceremony of the 2028 Paralympic Games! This will be the first ever Paralympics hosted in Los Angeles. The 2024 Paris Paralympic Games saw nearly 2,700 samples collected, with athletes from 112 out of 169 delegations tested at least once.
August 27, 2026 at 4:58 PM