Detection and determination of anabolic steroids in nutritional supplements

J Pharm Biomed Anal. 2001 Jul;25(5-6):843-52. doi: 10.1016/s0731-7085(01)00396-x.

Abstract

A method is described for the determination of anabolic steroids including testosterone, 19-nor-4-androstene-3,17-dione, 4-androstene-3,17-dione and nandrolone in food supplements. Initial clean-up is done by HPLC followed by determination with GC/MS. A 'contaminated' food supplement was analysed and appeared to contain 19-nor-4-androstene-3,17-dione and 4-androstene-3,17-dione. One capsule of this nutritional supplement was ingested by five male volunteers. Urine samples were collected and analysed by GC/MS and GC/MS-MS. Neither the ratio testosterone/epitestosterone, nor the ratio androstenedione/epitestosterone increased significantly. Concentrations above 2 ng/ml for norandrosterone, the major metabolite of nandrolone, were detected until 48-144 h after ingestion of the food supplement.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Anabolic Agents / analysis*
  • Anabolic Agents / urine
  • Androstenedione / analogs & derivatives
  • Androstenedione / analysis
  • Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid
  • Dietary Supplements / analysis*
  • Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Nandrolone / analysis
  • Testosterone / analysis

Substances

  • Anabolic Agents
  • Testosterone
  • Androstenedione
  • Nandrolone
  • 19-norandrostenedione