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  • Detection of erythropoiesis stimulating agents in urine samples using a capillary Western system.

Detection of erythropoiesis stimulating agents in urine samples using a capillary Western system.

Drug testing and analysis (2018-10-27)
Philippe Desharnais, Jean-François Naud, Christiane Ayotte
ABSTRACT

The presence of erythropoiesis stimulating agents (ESAs) in the urine samples collected from athletes is detected using traditional Western blotting following either size-based separation (SDS/SAR-PAGE) or isoelectric focusing (IEF). Although there is an important testing effort, there is little doubt that ESAs are still abused in sports and that reducing the costs of the tests might increase the number of tests and improve deterrence. The capillary electrophoresis system developed by Protein Simple may be useful to this end. This platform is fully automated and could be easily implemented in anti-doping laboratories, which would contribute to the improvement of the overall assay performance and standardization of the method. Such an automated system could be of interest during major sports events, such as the Olympic Games, where a high number of samples needs to be analyzed in a short period of time. From the experiments conducted so far, we conclude that the technique is promising, with the sensitivity and reproducibility needed to screen ESAs in human urine samples.

MATERIALS
Product Number
Brand
Product Description

Sigma-Aldrich
Monoclonal Anti-EPO antibody produced in mouse, clone 4F11, ascites fluid