2026 · Biomedical chromatography : BMC · open access
Investigation Into the Metabolism and Elimination Behavior of RU 58841, and Its Influence on the Steroid Profile in Humans
Okutan et al.
The finding, in our words
Following topical scalp application of RU 58841 in healthy men, the parent drug and its oxidized metabolite were detectable in dried blood spots, demonstrating systemic absorption. Urinary steroid profiling parameters used in athlete biological passports remained unaffected after a single 30 mg dose.
A paraphrase to the Library’s standard, never the abstract. The source is one link away and is always the authority.
The authors found that a single microdose of recombinant EPO was detectable up to 72 hours using ITP and CP methods, though the Tasso microsampling device showed lower sensitivity than Mitra and Capitainer. Additionally, isotope ratio mass spectrometry successfully detected testosterone micro-dosing in all analysed samples, supported by serum testosterone levels.
Heiland et al., Drug testing and analysis · source ↗
Dried blood spot sampling detected testosterone use in all ten participants, whereas urine testing missed two cases likely due to UGT2B17 deletion. The method distinguished prescribed from illicit testosterone ester use, supporting DBS as a sensitive tool for decentralised anabolic steroid monitoring.
Suominen et al., Drug testing and analysis · source ↗
The analysis indicates that dried blood spots and volumetric absorptive microsampling enable minimally invasive monitoring of prohibited substances, with volumetric absorptive microsampling offering improved quantitative reliability over traditional dried spots.
This review highlights that microsampling techniques such as dried blood spots and volumetric absorptive microsampling offer superior alternatives to traditional sampling for the mass spectrometry detection of prohibited substances in anti-doping analysis. It provides guidance on selecting appropriate analytical methods and sample pretreatment strategies to ensure sensitive detection and reliable storage conditions.
Maykar et al., Critical reviews in analytical chemistry (paywalled) · source ↗
Testosterone in dried blood spots remained stable across training and rest days in female athletes, while androstenedione showed minor changes likely due to diurnal variation rather than acute exercise. Urinary steroid excretion was lower in athletes than controls, suggesting training-related metabolic shifts that could affect anti-doping biological passport interpretation.
Andersson et al., Frontiers in physiology · source ↗