Daily steroids could benefits boys with muscular dystrophy

According to a study, daily steroid treatments for several years could benefit young boys with Duchenne muscular dystrophy by helping them walk on their own for longer period of time.

A study published in an issue of Neurology®, the scientific journal of the American Academy of Neurology suggested that daily steroid treatment also helps them reduce the risk of scoliosis.

From Sciencedaily.com:

Duchenne muscular dystrophy occurs in one in 3,500 boys. Symptoms start in early childhood and rapidly progress with most boys losing the ability to walk between ages nine and 11. There is no cure for the disorder.

For the study, researchers reviewed records of 143 boys seen at the Ohio State University Muscular Dystrophy Clinic in Columbus. Of the group, 75 had been treated with corticosteroids for an average of eight years and the rest of the boys had never been treated or had received a brief dose of steroids.

The study found boys who were treated with daily steroids walked by themselves 3.3 years longer than the untreated boys and had a lower rate of scoliosis, 31 percent compared to 91 percent.

"Previous studies have shown steroids improve strength and function in Duchenne muscular dystrophy, but this is the first study to show the long-term impact and how treated boys are able to walk longer on their own," said study author Wendy King, PT, with the Department of Neurology at Ohio State University Medical Center, and member of the American Academy of Neurology.

Drug-testing saga of Mullings continues

Steve Mullings, the sprinter from Jamaica, is pretty confident that his second portion (B Sample) of the urine sample he submitted following the men's 100m final at the JAAA/Supreme Ventures National Senior Trials on June 24 will be tested in the presence of his representatives at the IAAF/WADA accredited lab in Montréal, Canada.

Mullings' sample will be tested at the Doping Control Laboratory at the INRS-Institut Armand-Frappier Research Center in Quebec.

From Jamaicaobserver.com:

It was revealed last week that the first portion (A Sample) of Mullings sample had tested positive for the presence of a powerful diuretic Furosemide that has been used by athletes to mask the presence of anabolic steroids in their system.

According to Medicinenet.com, Furosemide, which is dispensed under the brand name 'Lasix', is "a potent diuretic (water pill) that is used to eliminate water and salt from the body. In the kidneys, salt (composed of sodium and chloride), water, and other small molecules normally are filtered out of the blood and into the tubules of the kidney. The filtered fluid ultimately becomes urine".

Mullings' agent John Regis told reporters last week that Mullings, who has the third fastest 100m time so far this season when he ran 9.80 seconds to win the event at the Pre-Fontaine Classic on July 4 in Eugene, Oregon, was notified last week Monday of the failed drug test.

The lab is one of only two World Anti-Doping Agency-certified laboratories in North America and has been used by the Jamaica Athletics Administrative Association for many years and the US Major League Baseball.

Most abused drug in Korea

Korea has a higher proportion of users of methamphetamine compared to other drugs than the West, according to a straw poll.

The finding was revealed in a survey of 523 drug addicts led by Prof. Kim Dae-jin at Catholic University of Korea's College of Medicine and commissioned by the Ministry for Health, Welfare and Family Affairs.

From English.chosun.com:

Experts cite the historical background. Methamphetamine spread during World War II in Japan, where it was given to munitions workers and soldiers as a performance enhancer. When Korean laborers returned after the war, they brought the drug with them, and it is still known here under the generic brand name Philopon (pronounced "Hiropon").

Heo Cheol-ho, the director of Narcotics Division at the Supreme Prosecutors' Office, claimed there was no case of manufacturing methamphetamine for sale in Korea since 2000. The reason for the continued dominance of the drug is smuggling from major production centers such as China, Russia, and northern Malaysia, according to Heo. Over 50 percent of methamphetamine seized in Korea is found on its way in from China.

In North America and Europe, the percentage of cocaine, heroin, and marijuana is much higher than of methamphetamine.

Tainted athlete put on bench by employer

The Indian athlete who recently tested positive to anabolic steroids, Ashwini Chidananda Akkunji, has life on a tailspin.

The funding of Akkunji was provisionally suspended by Olympic Gold Quest, founded by sports icons Prakash Padukone and Geet Sethi. Her employer, city-based Corporation Bank, has temporarily yanking her off their promotional drive.

From Articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com:

The bank had launched Ashwini, local lass from Siddapura in Kundapur taluk, with much fanfare on International Women's Day on March 8 as their new young face. A little under four months from that day, the bank for the time being has decided to keep on hold all promotional material involving Ashwini. Reason: Bank does not want to court controversy over the conduct of its employee. Ashwini is a probationary officer with the bank.

Reacting with alacrity to news of Ashwini returning positive for anabolic steroids in the out-of-competition dope tests conducted by NADA on June 27, the bank has removed all advertisement hoardings featuring her. Even the print media publicity ads featuring Ashwini have been put on hold for the time being, a bank official stated.

The doping incident that involved eight Indian athletes has shocked the entire fraternity and sport lovers.

Father son duo in dock over supply of anabolic steroids

A father, detective by profession, and his son have been charged with supplying anabolic steroids.

Dad and son DC Paul David Fletcher, 46, and Paul Michael Fletcher, 26, appeared at the magistrates' court alongside co-defendant and St Helens policeman Sgt Paul Hornby, 42.

From Osadvertiser.co.uk:

St Helens CID officer Fletcher Snr, of Downall Green Road, Ashton, was charged with eight counts of conspiring with his son to supply the class C drugs in Wigan between October 1 last year and March 24.

He was also charged with misconduct in a public office after it was alleged that he explained police tactics and procedure about telephone evidence to a known criminal, arrested on January 25.

Fletcher Snr is also said to have accessed sensitive information on police files and leaked it to a known criminal in St Helens on February 1.

His son Fletcher Jnr, of Richmond Hill, Wigan, was charged with eight counts of supplying steroids during the same period in Wigan.

The pair were represented by different legal teams.

Their co-defendant, Hornby, of Bembridge Court, Wigan, was charged with four counts of conspiring to supply anabolic steroids.

A preliminary hearing to determine the possibility of a trial was set for May 12 at 9.45am.

Allegations denied by disgraced coach

Facing the sack after six of his trainees returned positive, Athletics coach Yuri Ogorodinik on Tuesday termed the development as a "dirty trick".

The ex-Indian coach defended himself by claiming that he had no role in the doping program.

From Articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com:

Yuri said that there was a possibility that he was set-up.

"I have been set-up. It's a dirty trick. I am not stupid, I am a professional coach. I prohibited this drug 20 years back. I can't believe what has happened. I called the doctors in Ukraine who say there's nothing in the supplement. It's a set-up and I don't know who are behind it," he told a news channel.

AFI forms enquiry committee

NEW DELHI: The Athletics Federation of India (AFI) on Tuesday formed a three-member enquiry committee to look into the doping incident involving leading track and field athletes of the country. AFI said that the committee will submit its report in two stages - preliminary report in one month time and the final report in three months.

"I cannot believe the girls tested positive for the same anabolic steroid. I am not to blame for it. You better ask the federation how it happened," the coach told TOI in Patiala.

Stroud banned for four games

Marcus Stroud, the Jacksonville Jaguars defensive tackle, has been suspended without pay for four games.

Stroud was suspended for violating policy of the NFL on anabolic steroids and related substances.

From Reuters.com:

Jacksonville Jaguars defensive tackle Marcus Stroud has been suspended without pay for four games for violating the NFL's policy on anabolic steroids and related substances.

Stroud, whose suspension begins immediately, is eligible to return to his team's active roster on December 3, the NFL said in a statement on Tuesday.

No details of his violation were disclosed by the league.

Stroud, a three-time Pro Bowl tackle, has three sacks this season after starting all eight games for Jacksonville.