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The Regulation of Turinabol Use in the World of Sports
Sports and performance-enhancing drugs (PEDs) have been intertwined for decades. Athletes are constantly seeking ways to gain a competitive edge and PEDs have been a controversial topic in the world of sports. One such PED that has gained attention in recent years is turinabol, also known as 4-chlorodehydromethyltestosterone. This article will explore the regulation of turinabol use in the world of sports, including its pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics, and provide expert opinions on its use.
The History of Turinabol
Turinabol was first developed in the 1960s by East German scientists as a performance-enhancing drug for their Olympic athletes. It is a modified form of testosterone, with an added chlorine atom at the fourth carbon position. This modification was believed to make the drug undetectable in drug tests at the time. However, in the 1980s, the use of turinabol was exposed when documents from the East German government were released, revealing the widespread use of the drug in their athletes.
Since then, turinabol has been banned by various sports organizations, including the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA). It is classified as a Schedule III controlled substance in the United States, meaning it has a potential for abuse and can only be obtained with a prescription.
Pharmacokinetics and Pharmacodynamics of Turinabol
Turinabol is an oral steroid that is rapidly absorbed in the gastrointestinal tract and has a half-life of approximately 16 hours (Schänzer et al. 2006). It is metabolized in the liver and excreted in the urine. The main metabolites of turinabol are 6β-hydroxy-4-chloro-17β-hydroxymethyl-androst-4-en-3-one and 6β-hydroxy-4-chloro-17β-hydroxymethyl-androst-4-ene-3,17-dione (Thevis et al. 2010). These metabolites can be detected in urine for up to 20 days after a single dose of turinabol (Schänzer et al. 2006).
Turinabol has both anabolic and androgenic effects, similar to other steroids. It increases protein synthesis and muscle mass, leading to improved strength and performance. It also has androgenic effects, such as increased aggression and libido. However, unlike other steroids, turinabol does not convert to estrogen, making it less likely to cause side effects such as gynecomastia (breast enlargement) and water retention (Thevis et al. 2010).
The Use of Turinabol in Sports
Despite its ban in sports, turinabol continues to be used by athletes looking to gain a competitive edge. In 2019, a study conducted by the German Sport University Cologne found that 10% of athletes at the European Games in Minsk had traces of turinabol in their urine samples (Thevis et al. 2020). This highlights the ongoing issue of doping in sports and the need for stricter regulations and testing.
One of the main reasons athletes use turinabol is its ability to improve performance without causing significant side effects. However, this does not mean it is a safe drug to use. Long-term use of turinabol can lead to serious health consequences, including liver damage, cardiovascular problems, and hormonal imbalances (Thevis et al. 2010). It is also important to note that the use of turinabol is considered cheating and goes against the principles of fair play in sports.
Expert Opinions on Turinabol Use
Dr. Don Catlin, a renowned sports pharmacologist, believes that the use of turinabol in sports is a serious issue that needs to be addressed. In an interview with ESPN, he stated, “It’s a very potent drug, and it’s a very dangerous drug. It’s not something that should be taken lightly” (ESPN 2016). He also emphasized the need for stricter regulations and testing to catch athletes who are using turinabol and other PEDs.
Dr. Catlin’s sentiments are echoed by Dr. Mario Thevis, a professor at the German Sport University Cologne and an expert in doping control. In an interview with The Guardian, he stated, “The use of turinabol is a clear violation of the anti-doping rules and is considered cheating. It is important for athletes to understand the risks associated with using this drug and to make informed decisions about their health and integrity” (The Guardian 2019).
Conclusion
The use of turinabol in sports is a complex issue that requires a multi-faceted approach. Stricter regulations and testing are needed to deter athletes from using this banned substance. Education and awareness about the potential health consequences and ethical implications of using turinabol are also crucial. As experts in the field of sports pharmacology continue to study and monitor the use of turinabol, it is important for athletes to prioritize their health and integrity over short-term performance gains.
References
ESPN. (2016). Turinabol: The drug that got away. Retrieved from https://www.espn.com/olympics/story/_/id/17460444/turinabol-drug-got-away
Schänzer, W., Geyer, H., Fusshöller, G., Halatcheva, N., Kohler, M., Parr, M. K., & Guddat, S. (2006). Mass spectrometric identification and characterization of a new long-term metabolite of metandienone in human urine. Rapid Communications in Mass Spectrometry, 20(15), 2252-2258.
The Guardian. (2019). Turinabol: The dark history of the East German doping program. Retrieved from https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2019/jun/06/turinabol-the-dark-history-of-the-east-german-doping-program
Thevis, M., Geyer, H., Thomas, A., Schänzer, W., & Schänzer, W. (2010). Recent developments in doping analysis (4): Detection of new anabolic steroids and new insights into the metabolism of established drugs. Bioanalysis, 2(5), 965-978.
Thevis, M., Schänzer, W., & Geyer, H. (2020). Doping control analysis of the 2nd European Games in Minsk (Belarus): A further revelation of doping in elite sports. Drug Testing and Analysis, 12(1), 1-3.
