TARRYTOWN, N.Y., Aug. 28 /PRNewswire/ -- The International Olympic
Committee (IOC) today voted to use a new combination of blood and urine tests
for detecting EPO (erythropoietin) blood doping by athletes. This decision
marks the first time that a combination of blood and urine tests will be used
to assess blood doping at an international sporting event. The Australian
Sports Drug Testing Laboratory, the IOC accredited laboratory in Sydney, will
run the blood tests on the ADVIA(R) 120 Hematology System developed by Bayer
Diagnostics.
Blood Doping
"Blood doping is an issue that has plagued the international sports arena
for years creating an uneven playing field in many sports," according to Jim
Stray-Gundersen, MD, Research Professor, Department of Physiology, Norwegian
University of Sport and Physical Education. "The sports most often associated
with blood doping are endurance sports that require high levels of maximum
oxygen uptake such as cycling, cross-country skiing, and long-distance
running."
Blood doping originally involved blood transfusions, and is now associated
with the use of a drug called recombinant erythropoietin or r-HuEPO, to boost
the production of red blood cells, increasing the amount of oxygen delivered
to exercising muscles. Where races are won by fractions of a second, blood
doping can offer minutes of advantage. This dangerous practice can lead to
heart problems or stroke.
"Blood doping is associated with serious risks," according to Robin
Parisotto, Laboratory Manager, Sports Haematology & Biochemistry Laboratory,
Australian Institute of Sport and lead investigator of the multi-center trial
that developed and validated the testing procedure. "Many experts suspect
that too much EPO has played a role in the unexplained heart problems and
subsequent deaths of close to 20 European racing cyclists since 1987. We hope
this testing procedure will deter athletes from doping."
The Testing Procedure
Experts from Australia, Norway, France, Canada and China have been working
over the last three years to develop a reliable testing procedure using a
combination of blood and urine tests to detect EPO abuse. Where traditional
EPO testing involved urine tests alone, this new procedure allows physicians
and lab professionals to look at accelerated erythropoiesis (making of new red
blood cells) or decelerated erythropoiesis.
"As there is no single test to detect recombinant EPO, we worked to
develop a testing protocol that would reduce false positives using several
indirect testing methods," stated Parisotto. "In the last six months we have
been able to validate this new testing procedure which involves traditional
urine tests and newer blood tests. According to our research, these tests
offer valuable tools for leveling the competitive playing field and deterring
athletes from using EPO or engaging in blood doping activities."
The Bayer ADVIA 120 Hematology System
The Bayer ADVIA 120 Hematology System, the system on which this innovative
blood testing procedure was developed and validated, will be used by the
testing center in Sydney to assess accelerated erythropoiesis or decelerated
erythropoiesis for the random EPO blood testing. This system, which was
introduced into the marketplace in 1997, allows laboratory professionals to
perform hematology tests, complete blood count, white blood cell differential
and reticulocytes on one platform. In addition to its use in this testing
procedure, the ADVIA 120 offers unique parameters and medical benefits widely
used in the detection and treatment of iron deficiency in multiple clinical
settings, such as dialysis patients and anemic children.
"We are very proud that the Bayer ADVIA 120 Hematology System is part of
this testing effort that may contribute to the safety and health of
professional and amateur athletes, and we hope this decision to implement
testing will deter athletes from engaging in this dangerous practice," said
Rolf Classon, President of Bayer Diagnostics. "Bayer has been very supportive
in the development of this testing procedure and we hope that the role of
blood testing at the Sydney Games will reinforce the value and impact of
diagnostic medicine in the health care system."
With more than 7,500 employees worldwide and 1999 sales of close to
$1.8 billion, Bayer Diagnostics (http://www.bayerdiag.com), based in Tarrytown, New
York, is one of the largest diagnostic businesses in the world. The
organization supports customers in 100 countries through an extensive
portfolio of central laboratory, self-testing, nucleic acid and near patient
testing systems and services for use in the assessment and management of
health, including the areas of cardiovascular disease, oncology, virology,
women's health and diabetes. Bayer Diagnostics is a division of Bayer
Corporation, and a member of the worldwide Bayer Group, a $31 billion
international life sciences, polymers and specialty chemicals group based in
Leverkusen, Germany. With headquarters in Pittsburgh, Bayer Corporation is a
research-based company with major businesses in health care, life sciences and
chemicals.
SOURCE Bayer Diagnostics
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