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For instance, it is believed by some physiologists that adding red blood cells to the normal blood level
causes the ratio of cell volume to total blood volume to increase the viscosity of the blood to a point where
blood circulation will decrease significantly. Blood doping has also been said to decrease minute volume of
respiration, perfusability and availability of oxygen to the tissues of the body.
Well, thanks to good old Western technology, blood doping appears to be a thing of the past.
Erythropoietin (EPO), a clinical drug used in the treatment of anemia is now being used as a substitute for
blood doping. Erythropoietin is a glycoprotein hormone produced primarily by cells in the kidney
responsible for the regulation of red blood cell production. Currently, this agent is licensed for use in the
treatment of the anemia of renal failure, the anemia associated with HIV infection in zidovudine (AZT)
treated patients and anemia associated with cancer chemotherapy. The dose given is based on the age,
height and weight of the patient. The usual dose is 50 to 100 Units per kilogram, 23 to 45 units per pound
of body weight three times a week, injected into a vein or under the skin. The generic name for the
synthesized drug used as treatment is epoetin. This drug comes with a variety of brand names. In the U.S.
it is called Epogen and Procrit, and in Canada, Eprex. Of course, endurance athletes use EPO to increase
their red blood cell production and consequently, their capacity to supply oxygen to the tissues of their
body.
Common side effects include headache, increased blood pressure, vision problems, weight gain
and swelling of the face, fingers, ankles, feet and lower legs. The major risk factors for EPO are heart
disease and vascular damage, but mainly these risk factors are only in play when EPO is used as a
performance-enhancing drug. It can also cause the agglutination of red blood cells that can lead to strokes
and heart attacks. In fact, several deaths of athletes have already been linked to the drug. It is also very
expensive, which has made it somewhat cost prohibitive for most amateur athletes.
Even with all that, endurance athletes such as swimmers, runners and long distance cyclists love
this stuff because it works extremely well and it is almost impossible to detect. A currently manufactured
device called EPO ASSAY measures the concentration of EPO in one’s urine. This ASSAY produces
information on erythrocytosis and increased total red cell mass. There is an excellent chance that EPO
ASSAY will be used as an EPO detection device in the upcoming Olympics.