Steroid-naive UV patients can finally have a relief

According to a research article published in the World Journal of Gastroenterology that came after investigations were concluded by Dr. Masatoshi Kudo from Kinki University School of Medicine of Japan, the therapeutic utility of LCAP (Leukocytapheresis) for steroid-naïve patient can now be handled in a better way as efficacy of LCAP can now be predicted on the basis of endoscopic findings.

Despite the fact that steroid administration is hailed as a second-line therapy for inducing remission in UC if remissions are not attainable by salazosulfapyridine or mesalazine treatment, it was revealed that steroid administration can result in different side effects.

From Eurekalert.org:

In 1995, LCAP was introduced for patients with UC. LCAP is a method where the blood is passed though a leukocyte removal filter before being returned to the body. On average, 1.6 × 1010 leukocytes are removed during one session. These leukocytes include granulocytes, lymphocytes and monocytes. Almost 100% of granulocytes and monocytes and 60% of lymphocytes are removed by removal filter. In this study, we found 61.1% of steroid-naive UC patients (11/18) had entered remission eight weeks after the last LCAP session.

Since steroids can induce remission in 45% to 90% of salazosulfapyridine or mesalazine non-responders, it appears that LCAP is as efficacious as steroids as a second-line treatment. Analysis of the endoscopic findings of the patients revealed that while the remission rate of the patients with erosion was extremely high after LCAP; however, that of the patients with geographic ulcers and deep ulcers extremely low. None of the patients experienced any severe adverse effects from LCAP. Given the low rate of adverse events suffered by patients treated with LCAP, we propose that patients with moderately active UC should be treated with LCAP before steroids are considered.

The study went on to reveal that LCAP can an efficacious treatment option for steroid-naive UC patients with moderate activity and endoscopic revelations can be used to predict treatment efficacy.

Untold relationship between financial traders and hormone levels

As per a recently concluded research by Israeli researchers, City Traders tend to gain more when it comes to average profits in the morning times when testosterone levels are high.

It was hypothesized by the involved scientists that the positive return for traders is simply because testosterone is believed to raise the level of confidence apart from raising the appetite for risk.

Testosterone is a steroid hormone that plays an important role in competitive encounters and sexual behavior. The 'winner effect', which is possible with testosterone, offers a unique ability to raise the chances of winning and winning on a repeated basis.

From News-Medical.Net:

In order to determine how hormone levels affect those working in the financial sector, the researchers followed 17 City of London male traders for eight consecutive business days. To measure the traders' hormones, they took saliva samples twice per day at 11:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m., times that fell before and after the bulk of the day's trading. At each sampling time, traders recorded their profit and loss (P&L).

Using the trader's previous trading history, the scientists determined a daily-average to which they could compare the test results. They found that daily testosterone levels were significantly higher on days when traders made more than their one-month daily average than on other days.

The researchers also speculated that if testosterone continued to rise or became chronically elevated, it could begin to have the opposite effect on a trader's profitability by increasing risk-taking to unprofitable levels. Previous studies have shown that administered testosterone can lead to irrational decision-making. They believe that this is because testosterone has also been found to lead to impulsivity and sensation seeking, to harmful risk taking, and in extreme cases (among users of anabolic steroids) to euphoria and mania.

Dr. John Coates, lead author, remarked that the raised levels of testosterone and cortisol allow traders to take business risks. However, there may be addiction if the level of testosterone reaches physiological limits.

Low doses of Steroids prove effective for multiple myeloma

Lenalidomide plus low-dose dexamethasone therapy can prove to be more effective than lenalidomide plus high-dose dexamethasone for treating multiple myeloma, according to findings reported by S. Vincent Rajkumar, M.D. at the American Society of Hematology's annual meeting.

These findings were part of results of the Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group Phase III clinical trial E4A03.

Dr. Rajkumar, Mayo Clinic Cancer Center hematologist and lead investigator of the study, remarked that he was quite surprised at first to know that high doses of steroids can lead to minimized survival rates besides increasing the risk of side effects.

It will be important to note here that lenalidomide and high-dose dexamethasone, which is referred to as Rev/Dex, is presently used as a second-line treatment for myeloma.

From News-Medical.Net:

“The standard treatment for myeloma usually includes high doses of steroids such as dexamethasone. In this study we were hoping to find that a lower dose of steroids would be just as effective,” says Dr. Rajkumar, Mayo Clinic Cancer Center hematologist and lead investigator of the study. “We were surprised to find that the regimen with high-dose steroids actually was decreasing survival, besides contributing to increased side effects.”

The study compared combination treatment of oral medications lenalidomide (a novel chemotherapeutic agent) and either high- or low-dose dexamethasone (a potent steroid effective against myeloma) in 445 patients with newly diagnosed myeloma. Lenalidomide plus high-dose dexamethasone had an 18-month survival rate of 80 percent. The comparative therapy using low-dose dexamethasone showed a significantly higher 91 percent overall survival rate at 18 months, with much less toxicity.

“The lower survival rates with the high-dose dexamethasone can be attributed to disease progression as well as treatment-related toxicities,” says Dr. Rajkumar. “This is a major advance in the treatment of this cancer, and also gives researchers a new direction to explore -- that more is not necessarily better.”

The findings of this reported study are expected to offer a new paradigm before scientists who have been making every possible effort to help patients with multiple myeloma.

Steroids helpful in minimizing heart damage in children with Kawasaki's disease

Steroids possess a unique ability to significantly minimize heart damage in children with Kawasaki's disease, according to a study published in an issue of Pediatrics.

The new finding of this study addresses a gap in knowledge as the current guidelines from the the American Academy of Pediatrics state that enough evidence for steroid treatment is lacking and recommendations are been made for the standard treatment of Kawasaki's via aspirin and intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG).

From News-Medical.Net:

"This gap in knowledge led us to examine the benefits of steroids more closely. We looked at research worldwide and were surprised to find eight solid clinical trials showing the value of steroids in significantly reducing heart damage in children with Kawasaki's disease. Steroids, when combined with aspirin and IVGB, reduced the odds of developing inflammation of the heart blood vessels by half," said Stephen Aronoff, MD, lead author of the meta-analysis and Temple University School of Medicine professor and chair of pediatrics.

Aronoff said that a currently underway multi-center study is expected to offer a new paradigm and further evidence in relation with the benefits of steroid treatment for Kawasaki's disease that is believed to be one of the leading causes of acquired heart disease in children inflaming the blood vessels leading to the human heart.

Two additional drug classes banned in Breeder’s Cup

The Breeder’s Cup recently added to additional classes of drugs to strengthen the integrity of the competition and help protect the athletes at the two-day world championships to be held at Santa Anita on November 6 and 7.

Drugs are divided into five classes based on their action, ability to influence the outcome of the race, ability to influence a horse’s performance, presence of any therapeutic uses or evidence of substance abuse.

Usual doping tests include anabolic steroids testing, EPO (erythropoietin) test which is usually conducted ten days before the event and milkshake testing or TCO2 test.

New additions are the Class 1 drugs, which include opiates, opium derivatives, and synthetic opioids, psychoactive drugs, amphetamines and amphetamine-like drugs.

Class 2 drugs include lidocaine, epogen, caffeine and snake venoms.

Trainers of these horses that will test positive for these two classes of drugs will be subject to a one-year suspension. Those who will fail the test three times will be banned for a lifetime in the Breeder’s cup. Meanwhile, a failed EPO test will also result to a trainer’s suspension and banning of the horse from joining any event. A failed TCO2 test will also result to suspension and purse redistribution.

From The Canadian Press:

"The establishment of these new regulations strengthens our number one priority of preserving the integrity of our competition and protecting the welfare of our athletes at the world championships," Breeders' Cup president and CEO Greg Avioli said Monday.

Turning Point needle-exchange project launched in Scotland

Turning Point needle exchange project is a joint venture between Glasgow Addiction Services and the Glasgow Crisis Center. It aims to persuade people from using steroid injections. It promotes proper nutrition coupled with exercise regime to achieve a healthy, fit and muscular body. The Steroid Drop-in clinic provides health education packages to its clients containing dietary and training regimes as well as the risks involved with steroid injections. However, for those who are having trouble with stopping injections, the clinic also provides a package containing free information on proper and safe procedures and even includes a single-use needle.

A growing number of people are at a greater risk of contracting Hepatitis A and B and other blood-borne viruses by sharing or re-using needles. This is also one aim of the Steroid Drop-in clinic, to minimize its growing incidence.

According to Gus Cunningham, a powerlifter and a sports science graduate, as well as the manager of the clinic, they want to provide information to all their clients on how to maintain a bulky physique for the rest of their lives without depending too much on steroids. He still promotes exercise, proper nutrition and water intake as the best way to achieve it.

According to The Scotsman:

A GROUNDBREAKING clinic for steroid users has convinced about 30 per cent of people accessing its services to stop injecting.

The Steroid Drop-In Clinic, the only one of its kind in Scotland, opened in February for a six-month pilot as part of the Turning Point needle-exchange project in West Street, Glasgow.

Revelations by Scientists on how Olympic Success can be engineered

During a public discussion on 29 April at the University of Birmingham, which was hosted by the Engineering & Technology Board (etb) in collaboration with the Royal Institution (Ri), scientists made revelations about the performances of Olympic athletes.

Speakers at the University of Birmingham included Craig Sharp (Professor of Sports Science at Brunel University), James Lamont (Innovation Team Leader, adidas), Dr Greg Whyte (Director of Science and Research at the English Institute of Sport), and Claire Davis (School of Engineering, Birmingham University).

These public discussions were primarily aimed at offering explanations about the science at work behind the Olympics, as per Dr Greg Whyte, Director of Science and Research at the English Institute of Sport.

From News-Medical.Net:

Dr Greg Whyte, Director of Science and Research at the English Institute of Sport, who will lead each event said: "Every four years Olympic records previously thought to be unbeatable are broken and new milestones are reached."

"These three public discussions will not only explain the science at work behind the Olympics, but also highlight the increasingly critical role science, engineering and technology plays in assisting athlete's participation, and success, in the world's greatest sports event."

Dr Whyte will open the discussion by providing an overview of human performance throughout history in our bid to become swifter, higher and stronger. He will be followed by leading industry experts, who will talk on:

i) The physiological limits of human achievement by looking at the differences between humans and animals in terms of speed and endurance;

ii) The advances in sports equipment technology and examine its impact on human performance; and finally;

iii) The effect of advancements in drug testing technology on athletes' pursuit of excellence.

Since the modern day Olympics are often conducted under the dark cloud of steroids, these discussions can prove to be of interest to those who have been advocating the elimination of steroids from sports. However, it is interesting to note here that the growing bond between steroids and sports has become almost inseparable now. In this regard, athletes need to be taught about the pros and cons of steroids to make a better and informed decision so that no awkward incident of steroid abuse occurs at any of the future Olympics.

The discovery of tetrahydrogestrinone

In June 2003, Los Angeles, California, researchers working at the UCLA Olympic Analytical Laboratory received a package containing a spent syringe with traces of an unidentified compound of anabolic steroid. This was originally sent anonymously to the United States Anti-doping Agency. The researchers then quickly made some chemical test to deduce the chemical formula of the compound. They were able to synthesize a new compound, which they named as tetrahydrogestrinone. The compound is quite similar to the previously banned anabolic steroids gestrinone and trenbolone.

Tetrahydrogestrinone (THG) is the second designer anabolic steroid to be identified by then-director of the UCLA Olympic Analytical Lab, Don Catlin, MD. The first reported was norbolethone. THG was found to be a highly potent agonist for the androgen and progesterone receptors, but it has no estrogenic activity.

It was first developed by Patrick Arnold for the American nutritional supplement company, BALCO. It was also referred to as “The Clear” probably due to its concealment before 2003. Several athletes like Marion Jones, admitted to using it before the 2000 Sydney Olympics. It gave her three gold medals. Another known user was Dwaine Chambers, a British athlete who was banned for steroids use.

From The Medical News:

In June 2003, a spent syringe having allegedly contained an undetectable anabolic steroid was anonymously provided to the United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA), and the contents delivered to the research team in Los Angeles. The researchers, led by Don Catlin, detected an unfamiliar substance and deduced its chemical formula. They were then able to synthesize a compound with this formula, which they named tetrahydrogestrinone (THG) and which matched the unknown substance in the syringe.

Anabolic steroids from a urologist’s point of view

The most common presentation of anabolic steroid use in the urology setting is infertility and sexual dysfunction. Abnormally high testosterone levels will lower the luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) levels to almost zero.

Anabolic steroids, a derivative of testosterone, will have a tendency to shut down the body’s own production of testosterone. It causes the pituitary gland to stop the production of LH. Natural testosterone level will then lower, and if a user stops taking anabolic steroids, overall testosterone level in the body will drop.

It seems that the next possible action is to raise the testosterone level by administering more testosterone. Wrong, this will actually have the opposite effect. Some medical practitioners commit this common mistake and it took several medical treatments to be administered and almost a year and a half to reverse this effect.

It is very important to seek medical help from a specialist so that a proper treatment regimen would be given. A urologist would explain to you the potential risk of taking this drug. If your body stops producing natural testosterone for a prolonged period of time, you might encounter problems with bone health, cognitive function, and cholesterol and triglyceride metabolism.

From Renal and Urology News:

THE CONSEQUENCES of anabolic steroid use is a treatment reality for many clinicians, including urologists. Although anabolic steroid use among professional athletes gets the lion's share of attention in the media, many more casual competitors partake as well.

Relationship between Steroids and Baseball goes stronger

Many baseball greats and sporting confederations have been engaged in a never-ending debate on whether steroids should be allowed in baseball or not. The fact that the Hall of Fame includes some of the baseball players who took steroids or who belonged to the Steroid Era has been a major point of discussion on almost a daily basis.

The fact that Barry Bonds became the home run King surpassing Hank Aron's records is still fresh in the minds of all those who think that steroids and sports need to be separated from one other.

From USAtoday.com:

"I wish for once and forever that we could come out and say we have 100 and some names, name them all and get it over and let baseball go on," Aaron told the Associated Press on Tuesday night. "I don't know how they keep leaking out. I just wish that they would name them all and get it over with."

Aaron is right, but his solution, while exceedingly practical, would be almost impossible to implement.

MLB doesn't have the list, so even if it wanted to release the names, it couldn't. The players union would be the last group to want to reveal the names, so that's not an option. Federal agents seized the 2003 test results as part of the BALCO investigation. The union says the search was illegal, and the case is before the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals.

Meanwhile, the leaks continue. We will hear more names. So it would be much better for all concerned to get it over with, to have dozens of names tumble out in one huge news break, as Aaron suggests. But that won't happen. Instead, it will be a constant drip, drip, drip.

At this rate, figuring four names a season, we'll know them all in about 25 years. Interestingly, just this week, the Olympic world confronted allegations of positive drug tests among U.S. track and field athletes before the 1984 L.A. Games. That was 25 years ago.

Left unattended, the steroid issue in sports never dies.

Despite so much of debate, one thing that does not come out is the solution. This is primarily because separating sports from steroids is a tedious task by all standards. After all, steroids have consolidated their position in sports such as baseball and American Football in the last few years and some sportsmen almost swear by them.

Extensive Making of Steroids

Professional sportsmen and bodybuilders have been trying their best to minimize the presence of steroids in their urine samples by considering steroid masking in the recent times.

In this respect, the use of diuretics such as epitestosterone, plasma expanders, and secretion inhibitors is on an all-time high. These diuretics have been helping them to stay away from the hassles of doping and avoid suspicious eyes after delivering an almost dramatic performance on the field.

From Entertainment.howstuffworks.com:

Epitestosterone
Epitestosterone is a biological form of testosterone that does not enhance performance. Drug tests for testosterone typically measure the ratio of testosterone to epitestosterone (T/E ratio). An athlete can inject epitestosterone, lower the T/E ratio and hide the use of testosterone. By itself, epitestosterone has no real harmful side effects.

Plasma Expanders
Plasma expanders are substances that are used to increase the fluid component of blood. They are used to treat victims of shock, trauma and surgery. Athletes can use these substances to dilute the concentration of banned substances (EPO) in their blood. Most side effects include moderate to severe allergic reactions.

Secretion Inhibitors
Many drugs and foreign substances have structures that are shaped like organic acids. In the body, these organic acids are removed by a protein in the kidney that transports organic acids. If this protein can be blocked, then these drugs or foreign substances would not appear in the urine. Doctors use these inhibitors to treat gout. However, the drugs can be used to manipulate the results of urine drug tests. Possible side effects include nausea, vomiting, allergic reactions and kidney problems.

With this information of steroid masking, one thing is for sure that diuretics will continue to increase the problems of sports confederations and doping agencies. Till a solution is achieved, sportsmen and bodybuilders will have a carefree life.

Scientists trying hard to stay ahead of drug-taking athletes before Olympics

Scientists are putting every possible effort to stay ahead of steroid or drug-taking athletes or those can undergo genetic manipulation, as per major four-decade review by three of the World's leading experts on doping in sport.

One of the cardinal characteristics of doping is that some athletes tend to experiment with new substances, which are pending for approval, with aim to enhance performance on the field, according to Professor Don Catlin, Founder and former Director of the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) accredited laboratory at the University of California, USA, and CEO of the Anti-Doping Research Institute.

From News-Medical.Net:

"Remarkable advances have been made over the last 40 years which have allowed sports authorities to identify and sanction athletes who have misused a wide range of drugs, most of which were developed to treat diseases" says Professor Ljungqvist. "More recently drugs have been produced and used to specifically enhance athletic performance and avoid detection.

"At the same time strict regulations have been developed to ensure that athletes with a proven clinical need can still receive the prescription drugs they need without fear of sanctions."

"This major review by Professors Catlin, Ljungqvist and Fitch provides a concise description of the history of drug testing for the Olympic Games, with fascinating details on the evolution of laboratory equipment and analytical strategies" says Dr Thomas H Murray, President and CEO of The Hastings Center, a bioethics research institute based in New York.

"It identifies failings of the overall anti-doping system - most of them out of the laboratories control - and describes a number of challenges to be confronted.

"And it also shows us that there are five elements that are necessary for a successful anti-doping programme. These are: a strong commitment to - and sufficient funding for - research, a smart sampling strategy, adequate analytical capacity, a trustworthy adjudication process and a solid foundation of clear principles and transparent process."

Catlin further remarked that there is an urgent need to develop tests that can identify previously not-identified performance enhancing drugs before news of a new drug or steroid misused by athletes for enhancing performance is heard by them.