Effect of intermittent hypoxia on hematological parameters after recombinant human erythropoietin administration

Abstract

Recent publications reflect the anti-doping authorities' concern about the use of altitude simulator systems as violating the spirit of sport criterion (Levine 2006; Loland and Murray 2007; Spriggs 2005). The aim of our study was to determine whether intermittent hypoxic treatments could modify the hemoglobin, hematocrit, reticulocytes, and erythropoietic stimulation index (OFF-Hr Score) values after administration of rHuEPO-alpha. Although these hematological parameters are of secondary nature some international sport federations currently exclude athletes who show aberrant values of these parameters from competition. Ten young male Wistar rats were treated, three times a week for 2 weeks, with 500 IU of rHuEPO-alpha. After the treatment, the animals were randomly divided into two groups: normoxic and hypoxic. The normoxic group was maintained at 21% O(2) 24 h a day for 23 days. The hypoxic group was maintained 12 h at 21% O(2) and 12 h at 12% O(2) (~4,000 m) the same time period. After the rHuEPO-alpha treatment, the hypoxic group of animals had a faster recovery rate in the reticulocyte count, elevated concentrations of hemoglobin and hematocrit and a significant increase in the endogenous EPO levels when compared with the normoxic group of animals. These changes led to significant modifications in the OFF-Hr Score between the hypoxic and normoxic animals. Intermittent hypoxic treatments after rHuEPO administration can significantly modify the main hematological parameters tested by the anti-doping authorities. Our results in an animal model suggest checking the described phenomena in humans in order to reach major conclusions.

The effects of intermittent hypoxia training on hematological and aerobic performance in triathletes

“…Additionally, other factors, such as simulated altitude, altitude simulation technology, hypoxia exposure time per session and the program duration, can influence the athletes' final response (22). Moreover, the different athletes' responses to IHT are most likely related to genetic factors (9), and in some cases, the effects are similar to those obtained by administration of exogenous erythropoietin (25).…”

Normobaric hypoxia and sports: the debate continues

“…Accordingly, also the alveolar partial pressure of oxygen after respiratory muscle training significantly increased by approximately 10% (Esposito et al 2010). In another article published in this journal by Sanchis-Gomar et al (2009), it was previously shown that intermittent hypoxic treatment is at least as effective as the administration of recombinant human erythropoietin to increase the red blood cell mass and, inherently, the aerobic performances, in agreement with the previous findings of Mackenzie et al (2008). Taken together, these data support the hypothesis that normobaric hypoxia might indeed contribute to improving sports performance.…”

Intermittent hypoxic training: doping or what?

“…After 23 days, rHuEPO administration, normoxic animals showed a 45% decrease in their hemoglobin concentration when compared with the animals that underwent a 12-h period of hypoxia daily. Likewise, the normoxic animals showed a 35% decrease in their hematocrit concentration when compared with the animals that underwent 12-h periods of hypoxia daily (Sanchis-Gomar et al 2009). Although this experiment was carried on in mice, similar Wndings were previously observed in humans (Heinicke et al 2003).…”

“…We read with interest the article of Sanchis-Gomar et al (2009) on the eVect of intermittent hypoxia on hematological parameters after recombinant human erythropoietin (rHuEpo) administration. The Wndings of this valuable study further highlight the fuzzy boundary existing between what is licit and what is not in sports.…”