Resumen de Studies on glucocorticoids in sports drug testing
Due to health risks associated to the use of glucocorticoids (GC) and their potential ergogenic effects, systemic GCs are prohibited in sports competitions. However, local GC administrations are allowed for therapeutic purposes. The general reporting level used nowadays to discriminate between prohibited and allowed administrations is not adequate for all GCs.
To improve the discrimination, the excretion profiles of different GCs (triamcinolone hexacetonide, triamcinolone acetonide, budesonide and betamethasone) were evaluated after prohibited and allowed administrations, and specific discrimination criteria were proposed for each GC. The urinary elimination times of systemic GCs were also evaluated. Moreover, local intra-articular administration of GCs was demonstrated to produce systemic effect.
Finally, the impact of GCs on the steroid profile was evaluated. Due to the inhibition of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, the excretion rates of steroid profile metabolites decreased after systemic GC use. Nonetheless, the ratios between metabolites were not affected. Thus, GC administration does not affect the steroid profile.
