Possible New Screening Methods for Anabolic Agents

Anabolic androgenic substances (AAS) increase muscle§mass, reduce total body fat and induce a positive§nitrogen balance, resulting in higher§performance. Therefore the use of AAS in competitive§sports is of extreme attractivness but strictly§illegal. In animal husbandry the application of AAS§is legal in some countries but forbidden in the§EU. Also in medical therapies anabolic agents are§applied. §The residue analysis methods for AAS are mostly based§on confirmation of suspected samples via substance§identification by mass spectrometry. It is also§known that AAS can influence mRNA expression of§specific genes.§The aim of this thesis was to proof the possibility§to detect AAS treatment via mRNA expression analysis.§With the identification of biomarkers for§anabolic agents using qRT-PCR, a gene expression§pattern for AAS and metabolic pathways should be§identified. §First tissue specific biomarkers and effects on§metabolic pathways could be detected. Theses§biomarkers can be taken to establish a screening§pattern for anabolic agents.§Therefore, first steps toward a new screening method§for anabolic agents could be done, helping to§uncover abuses of anabolic agents in the future.