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This study aimed to analyze whether ecstasy consumption is associated with the socioeconomic status in the Municipality of São Paulo, Brazil, from 2000 to 2007. We used an official, reliable and unbiased source supplied by the Department of Narcotics of the State of São Paulo (Denarc) database and the Human Development Index of the districts (HDId) where the seizures occurred. A Spearman correlation test between the average number of ecstasy seizures per million of inhabitants with the HDId was used. There were 190 seizures (totaling 47,934 tablets) spread out in 53 of the 96 districts and 51.6% were concentrated in only 8 districts. The higher rates of ecstasy seizures were directly associated with districts with high HDId that confirmed the association of ecstasy consumption with the socioeconomic status. Itaim-Bibi, Jardim Paulista and Moema were the top three districts with the highest HDId. In these districts, the number of tablets per seizure ranged from as few units to thousands, revealing that not only consumption but also traffic coexist at the same place. Districts with many nightclubs can also influence the incidence of seizures. This knowledge can be useful to help the police from other Brazilian cities to combat ecstasy trafficking. Este estudo teve como objetivo analisar se o consumo de ecstasy está associado com o nível socioeconômico no Município de São Paulo, Brasil, de 2000 a 2007. Nós usamos uma fonte oficial, confiável e imparcial fornecida pelo banco de dados do Departamento de Narcóticos do Estado de São Paulo (Denarc) e o Índice de Desenvolvimento Humano dos distritos (IDHd), onde as apreensões ocorreram. O teste de correlação de Spearman entre o número médio de apreensões de ecstasy por milhão de habitantes e o IDHd foi utilizado. Houve 190 apreensões (totalizando 47.934 comprimidos) distribuídas em 53 dos 96 distritos e 51,6% concentraram-se em apenas 8 distritos. As maiores taxas de apreensão de ecstasy foram diretamente associadas com distritos com alto IDHd, o que confirmou a associação do consumo de ecstasy com o nível socioeconômico. Itaim Bibi, Jardim Paulista e Moema, distritos como os maiores IDHd, foram os três primeiros colocados. Nesses distritos, o número de comprimidos por apreensão variou de poucas unidades a milhares, revelando que não somente o consumo como também o tráfico coexiste no mesmo local. Distritos com muitas casas noturnas também podem influenciar a incidência de apreensão. Esse conhecimento pode ser útil no auxílio à polícia de outras cidades brasileiras no combate ao tráfico de ecstasy.

Background Ecstasy (Ec) use produces hyperthermia, excessive sweating, intense thirst, an inappropriate antidiuretic hormone secretion (SIADH) and a multisystemic toxicity due to oxidative stress (OS). Intense thirst induces high intake of pure water, which associated with SIADH, usually develops into acute hyponatremia (Hn). As Hn is induced rapidly, experiments to check if Ec acted directly on the Inner Medullary Collecting Ducts (IMCD) of rats were conducted. Rhabdomyolysis and OS were also studied because Ec is known to induce Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) and tissue damage. To decrease OS, the antioxidant inhibitors N-acetylcysteine (NAC) and Allopurinol (Allo) were used. Methods Rats were maintained on a lithium (Li) diet to block the Vasopressin action before Ec innoculation. AQP2 (Aquaporin 2), ENaC (Epitheliun Sodium Channel) and NKCC2 (Sodium, Potassium, 2 Chloride) expression were determined by Western Blot in isolated IMCDs. The TBARS (thiobarbituric acid reactive substances) and GSH (reduced form of Glutathione) were determined in the Ec group (6 rats injected with Ec-10mg/kg), in Ec+NAC groups (NAC 100mg/Kg/bw i.p.) and in Allo+Ec groups (Allo 50mg/Kg/i.p.). Results Enhanced AQP2 expression revealed that Ec increased water transporter expression, decreased by Li diet, but the expression of the tubular transporters did not change. The Ec, Ec+NAC and Allo+Ec results showed that Ec increased TBARS and decreased GSH, showing evidence of ROS occurrence, which was protected by NAC and Allo. Rhabdomyolysis was only protected by Allo. Conclusion Results showed that Ec induced an increase in AQP2 expression, evidencing another mechanism that might contribute to cause rapid hyponatremia. In addition, they showed that NAC and Allo protected against OS, but only Allo decreased rhabdomyolysis and hyperthermia.

Anxiolytic and anxiogenic-like behavioral outcomes have been reported for methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA or ecstasy) in rodents. In the present experiment, we attempted to identify behavioral, hormonal and neurochemical outcomes of MDMA treatment to clarify its effects on anxiety-related responses in 2-month-old Balb/c male mice (25-35 g; N = 7-10 mice/group). The behavioral tests used were open field, elevated plus maze, hole board, and defensive behavior against predator odor. Moreover, we also determined striatal dopamine and dopamine turnover, and serum corticosterone levels. MDMA was injected ip at 0.2, 1.0, 5.0, 8.0, 10, or 20 mg/kg. MDMA at 10 mg/kg induced the following significant (P < 0.05) effects: a) a dose-dependent increase in the distance traveled and in the time spent moving in the open field; b) decreased exploratory activity in the hole board as measured by number of head dips and time spent in head dipping; c) increased number of open arm entries and increased time spent in open arm exploration in the elevated plus maze; d) increased time spent away from an aversive stimulus and decreased number of risk assessments in an aversive odor chamber; e) increased serum corticosterone levels, and f) increased striatal dopamine level and turnover. Taken together, these data suggest an anxiogenic-like effect of acute MDMA treatment, despite the fact that behavioral anxiety expression was impaired in some of the behavioral tests used as a consequence of the motor stimulating effects of MDMA.

Purpose: Previous studies showed that anabolic androgenic steroids (AAS) increase vascular resistance and blood pressure (BP) in humans. In this study, we tested the hypotheses 1) that AAS users would have increased muscle sympathetic nerve activity (MSNA) and reduced forearm blood flow (FBF) compared with AAS nonusers and 2) that there would be an association between MSNA and 24-h BP. Methods: Twelve AAS users aged 31 +/- 2 yr (means +/- SE) and nine age-matched AAS nonusers aged 29 +/- 2 yr participated in the study. All individuals were involved in strength training for at least 2 yr. AAS was determined by urine test (chromatography-mass spectrometry). MSNA was directly measured by microneurography technique. FBF was measured by venous occlusion plethysmography. BP monitoring consisted of measures of BP for 24 h. Results: MSNA was significantly higher in AAS users than that in AAS nonusers (29 +/- 3 vs 20 +/- 1 bursts per minute, P = 0.01). FBF (1.92 +/- 0.17 vs 2.77 +/- 0.24 mL[middle dot]min-1[middle dot]100 mL-1, P = 0.01) and forearm vascular conductance (2.01 +/- 0.17 vs 2.86 +/- 0.31 U, P = 0.02) were significantly lower in AAS users than that in AAS nonusers. Systolic (131 +/- 4 vs 120 +/- 3 mm Hg, P = 0.001), diastolic (74 +/- 4 vs 68 +/- 3 mm Hg, P = 0.02), and mean BP (93 +/- 4 vs 86 +/- 3 mm Hg, P = 0.005) and heart rate (74 +/- 3 vs 68 +/- 3 bpm, P = 0.02) were significantly higher in AAS users when compared with AAS nonusers. Further analysis showed that there was a significant correlation between MSNA and 24-h mean BP (r = 0.75, P = 0.002). Conclusions: AAS increases MSNA and reduces muscle blood flow in young individuals. In addition, the increase in BP levels in AAS users is associated with augmented sympathetic outflow. These findings suggest that AAS increases the susceptibility for cardiovascular disease in humans

The objective of the present work was to compare previously published methods and provide validation data to detect simultaneously cocaine (COC), benzoylecgonine (BE) and norcocaine (NCOC) in nail. Finger and toenail samples (5mg) were cut in very small pieces and submitted to an initial procedure for external decontamination. Methanol (3 ml) was used to release analytes from the matrix. A cleanup step was performed simultaneously by solid-phase extraction (SPE) and the residue was derivatized with pentafluoropropionic anhydride/pentafluoropropanol (PFPA/PFP). Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) was used to detect the analytes in selected ion monitoring mode (SIM). Confidence parameters of validation of the method were: recovery, intra- and inter-assay precision, as well as limit of detection (LOD) of the analytes. The limits of detection were: 3.5 ng/mg for NCOC and 3.0 ng/mg for COC and BE. Good intra-assay precision was observed for all detected substances (coefficient of variation (CV)

O efeito ergogênico da cafeína sobre a performance em exercícios físicos anaeróbios ainda não esta claro, da mesma forma que os mecanismos de ação envolvidos nesse tipo de esforço físico. As teorias que têm tentado explicar o efeito ergogênico da cafeína durante o exercício físico anaeróbio esta relacionada ao efeito da cafeína em alguma porção do sistema nervoso central (SNC), e a propagação dos sinais neurais entre o cérebro e a junção neuromuscular, e também ao efeito da cafeína sobre o músculo esquelético, facilitando a estimulação-contração do músculo esquelético. Alguns estudos têm indicado aumento da força muscular acompanhado de maior resistência à instalação do processo de fadiga muscular após a ingestão de cafeína. Sugere-se que isso ocorra muito mais pela ação direta da cafeína no SNC do que pela sua ação em nível periférico. Com relação aos exercícios máximos e supramáximos de curta duração, os estudos têm-se demonstrado controversos, embora a maior parte indique que a cafeína parece melhorar significativamente a performance em exercícios máximos de curta duração (The ergogenic effects of caffeine on performance in anaerobic activites are not clear yet, so are the mechanisms involved in this type of physical effort. The theories that have been trying to explain the ergogenic effects of caffeine during anaerobic activities are related to the effect of caffeine in some portion of the central nervous system (CNS), the propagation of neural signs between brain and neuromuscular junction, and also to the effect of caffeine on the skeletal muscle, facilitating the stimulation-contraction of the skeletal muscle. Some studies have been indicating increases of muscular strength accompanied by greater resistance to the installation of the process of muscular fatigue after caffeine ingestion. It has been suggested that it happens much more by the direct action of caffeine in CNS than by its action at peripherical level. Regarding maximum and submaximum exercises of short duration, the studies have been controversial, although most of them indicates that caffeine seems to improve the performance significantly in maximum exercises of short duration (

Despite being considered ergolytic drugs, diuretics have been included on the lists of prohibited substances of the International Olympic Committee since 1986 due to their capacity of masking doping agents in urine. As diuretics are also prone to be misused regarding weight categories, screening procedures to check their presence in urine, whenever doping control is involved, are mandatory. A simple screening method using liquid‐liquid extraction was validated for the compounds: acetazolamide, amiloride, bumetanide, chlorthalidone, clopamide, furosemide, hydrochlorothiazide, piretamide, spironolactone, and triamterene. Urine samples were extracted in both acidic and basic media. HPLC analyses were performed with a Spherisorb ODS column and diode array UV detector, set at 260, 270, and 360 nm wavelengths. A gradient mobile phase was used. Limits of detection varied from 0.09 to 0.75 µg/mL. Recoveries ranged from 55.26 to 94.82%. Inter and intra‐assay precision tests showed good values.

Efedrinas são aminas simpatomiméticas componentes de diversas especialidades farmacêuticas, utilizadas no tratamento de doenças respiratórias devido à sua ação descongestionante e broncodilatora. Atualmente, diversos produtos comercializados como suplementos nutricionais contêm efedrinas e são amplamente utilizados no meio esportivo, com o objetivo de facilitar a queima de gorduras e melhorar o desempenho. Entretanto, o uso indiscriminado destas substâncias pode acarretar série de efeitos tóxicos como hipertensão, taquicardia, cefaléia e tremores. Devido à sua ação psicoestimulante, foram incluídas na lista de substâncias proibidas nas atividades esportivas pelo Comitê Olímpico Internacional (COI) e estabelecidas concentrações na urina para o controle da dopagem (efedrina e metilefedrina: 10 µg/mL). O presente trabalho teve como objetivo a validação de um método para quantificação de efedrinas, por cromatografia em fase gasosa acoplada a detetor de nitrogênio/fósforo (CG/DNP), em amostras de urina com a finalidade de controle da dopagem. O método consistiu em extração líquido-líquido e posterior derivação das efedrinas com anidrido trifluoroacético, e demonstrou ser simples e prático, apresentando linearidade nas faixas de concentração estudadas. Amostras de urina de voluntários que relataram uso de efedrinas foram submetidas à análise pelo método proposto.Ephedrines are sympathomimetic amines present in many pharmaceutical preparations used in the treatment of respiratory diseases due to their actions against broncospasm and congestion. Nowadays, several products sold as nutritional supplements contain ephedrines and are widely used in a diverse range of sports as weight loss aids and enhancement of athletic performance. However, the abuse of ephedrines may lead to a number of adverse effects including hypertension, headache, tachycardia and seizure. Due to their CNS stimulating action, ephedrines are included in the prohibited list of substances by the International Olympic Committee (IOC). Urinary threshold concentrations were established (ephedrine and methylephedrine >10 µg/mL). The aim of this work was to develop and validate a method for the simultaneous determination of ephedrines present in urine samples for doping purposes by gas chromatography with nitrogenous-phosphorous detector (GC/NPD). The method was based on a liquid-liquid extraction of alkalinized urine and further derivatization with trifluoroacetic anhydride (TFA). The validated method showed to be simple, practical and linear at the studied concentrations range. Urine samples collected from volunteers, who reported the use of ephedrines, were submitted to the proposed method.

In the present work, a semi-quantitative method was developed to detect simultaneously cocaine (COC) and cocaethylene (CE) (transesterification product of the coingestion of COC with ethanol) in sweat. Sweat samples were collected by means of a non-occlusive sweat patch device supplied by PharmChek. The method was based on the dissolution of COC and CE incorporated into the patch, with 0.2 M sodium acetate buffer (pH 5.0) and the extraction of the analytes by solid-phase microextraction (SPME). Gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC-MS) was used to detect the analytes in selected ion monitoring mode (SIM). The method showed to be very simple, rapid and sensitive. The limits of detection were 5 ng/ml for COC and CE (12.5 ng/patch). Good inter and intra-assay precision was also observed (coefficient of variation

Apresentam-se, neste estudo, os números relativos ao controle de doping em nosso país, em competição e fora de competição do ano de 2003, e consideram-se as ações preventivas desenvolvidas. Todos os controles foram feitos de acordo com as técnicas e procedimentos orientados pela Agência Mundial Antidoping (AMA), sendo então realizada uma estatística descritiva dos mesmos. Os resultados mostram 3.797 exames realizados, sendo 3.266 controles em competição e 531 fora de competição, com caráter de surpresa. A maior parte dos controles em competição (92,1%) e fora dela (92,4%) foi realizada pelo LAB DOP, da Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ). O futebol profissional foi responsável por grande parte dos controles em competição, 2.975 (91,1%), apresentando oito positivos e um percentual baixo de 0,27%, quando comparado com dados da literatura internacional. A grande maioria dos controles fora de competição foi realizada pelo Comitê Olímpico Brasileiro (COB), durante a preparação de nossos atletas para os XIV Jogos Pan-Americanos, na República Dominicana (92,4%). Foram encontrados 19 exames positivos nos controles em competição e seis positivos fora de competição, dentre os quais dois atletas de eqüestre que se negaram a ceder uma amostra biológica. O percentual encontrado em competição (0,5%) é menor do que o descrito internacionalmente, que é de 1,80, com exceção da luta de braço (30%), do tênis de mesa paraolímpico (10%), do atletismo (6,1%) e do ciclismo (4,6%). Nos exames fora de competição, foi observada uma incidência maior do que a descrita internacionalmente no fisiculturismo (33,33%), em eqüestre (22,2%), no boxe (7,6%). Na natação (2,5%) e no atletismo (1,8%), estão um pouco elevados e a média encontrada (1,1%) pode ser descrita como estando ainda na média internacional (0,9%). Os trabalhos de prevenção do COB, da Confederação Brasileira de Futebol (CBF) e do LAB DOP da UFRJ são referidos no presente artigo, juntamente com a nova legislação antidoping proposta pelo Ministério do Esporte.El presente estudio presenta los números relativos al control de dopaje en nuestro país, en competencia y fuera de competencia en el año 2003, considerando además las acciones preventivas desarrolladas. Todos los controles fueron realizados de acuerdo con las técnicas y los procedimientos orientados por la Agencia Mundial Antidopaje (AMA) siendo la misma una estadística descriptiva de los mismos. Los resultados mostraron 3.797 exámenes siendo 3.266 en competencia y 531 fuera de competencia con carácter sorpresivo. La mayor parte de los controles en competencia (92,1%) y fuera de la competencia (92,4%) fueron realizados por el LAB DOP, de la Universidad Federal de Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ). El fútbol profesional fue responsable por gran parte de los controles en competencia 2.975 (91,1%), presentando ocho positivos en un porcentaje bajo de 0,27%, comparado con los datos de la literatura internacional. La gran mayoría de los casos de controles fuera de competencia fueron realizados por el Comité Olímpico Brasileño (COB), durante la preparación de nuestros atletas para los XIV Juegos Pan-Americanos, en la República Dominicana (92,4%). Fueron encontrados 19 casos positivos en los controles en competencia y seis en los controles fuera de competencia. Dentro de los cuales dos de los atletas de ecuestre se negaron a brindar la muestra biológica. El porcentaje encontrado en competencia (0,5%) es menor que el que se describe internacionalmente que es de 1,8%, con excepción de la lucha (30%), del tenis de mesa paralimpico (10%), del atletismo (6,1%) y del ciclismo (4,6%). En los exámenes fuera de competencia se ha observado una incidencia mayor que la descripta internacionalmente en el fisicoculturismo (33,33%), en ecuestre (22,2%), en boxeo (7,6%). En natación (2,5%) y en atletismo (1,8%), están un poco elevados de la media encontrada (1,1%) lo que lo podría definir como estando en la media internacional (0,9%). Los trabajos de prevención del COB, de la Brasileña de Fútbol (CBF) y del LAB DOP de la UFRJ están referidos en el presente artículo juntamente con la nueva legislación antidopaje propuesta por el Ministerio del Deporte.This study presents the statistics of doping control, in- and out-of-competition in Brazil during the year 2003 and also shows the preventive actions developed. We have asked four laboratories and their coordinators to inform us about the controls on Brazilian athletes performed during the year 2003. All controls were performed under the World Anti-doping Agency's (WADA) rules and regulations. Our results show that 3,797 controls were performed in this year, being 3,266 in-competition and 531 out-of-competition controls. Most of the in-competition (92.16%) and out-of-competition tests (92.47%) were performed by LAB DOP, the doping control laboratory of the Chemical Institute of the Rio de Janeiro Federal University (UFRJ), one of the South American accredited laboratories. Professional soccer was the sport where most of the in-competition controls were performed (2.975 = 91.1%), with eight positive findings and a very low percent of positives (0.27%) when compared to the international literature. Most of the out-of-competition tests were performed by the Brazilian Olympic Committee (COB), during the preparation of our athletes for participating in the XIV Pan-American Games, at the Dominican Republic (92.47%). The positive result found was 19 positive in in-competition test and six in out-of-competition test. Two equestrian athletes refused to be tested. The percentage of positive in-competition (0.58%) is lower than the international percentages described, that ranges from 1 to 2%, with the exceptions of arm-fighting (30%), Paralympics table-tennis (10%), track and field (6.15%) and cycling (4.69%). The out-of-competition tests were found to have a greater incidence of positive results in bodybuilding (33.33%), equestrian (22.22%) and boxing (7.69%). The results of swimming (2.56%), track and field (1.89%) were in agreement with international data. The preventive actions of COB, the Brazilian Soccer Confederation and LAB DOP were shown in this article, altogether with the new anti-doping law from the Brazilian Sports Ministry.

Apresentam-se, neste estudo, os números relativos ao controle de doping em nosso país, em competição e fora de competição do ano de 2003, e consideram-se as ações preventivas desenvolvidas. Todos os controles foram feitos de acordo com as técnicas e procedimentos orientados pela Agência Mundial Antidoping (AMA), sendo então realizada uma estatística descritiva dos mesmos. Os resultados mostram 3.797 exames realizados, sendo 3.266 controles em competição e 531 fora de competição, com caráter de surpresa. A maior parte dos controles em competição (92,1%) e fora dela (92,4%) foi realizada pelo LAB DOP, da Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ). O futebol profissional foi responsável por grande parte dos controles em competição, 2.975 (91,1%), apresentando oito positivos e um percentual baixo de 0,27%, quando comparado com dados da literatura internacional. A grande maioria dos controles fora de competição foi realizada pelo Comitê Olímpico Brasileiro (COB), durante a preparação de nossos atletas para os XIV Jogos Pan-Americanos, na República Dominicana (92,4%). Foram encontrados 19 exames positivos nos controles em competição e seis positivos fora de competição, dentre os quais dois atletas de eqüestre que se negaram a ceder uma amostra biológica. O percentual encontrado em competição (0,5%) é menor do que o descrito internacionalmente, que é de 1,80, com exceção da luta de braço (30%), do tênis de mesa paraolímpico (10%), do atletismo (6,1%) e do ciclismo (4,6%). Nos exames fora de competição, foi observada uma incidência maior do que a descrita internacionalmente no fisiculturismo (33,33%), em eqüestre (22,2%), no boxe (7,6%). Na natação (2,5%) e no atletismo (1,8%), estão um pouco elevados e a média encontrada (1,1%) pode ser descrita como estando ainda na média internacional (0,9%). Os trabalhos de prevenção do COB, da Confederação Brasileira de Futebol (CBF) e do LAB DOP da UFRJ são referidos no presente artigo, juntamente com a nova legislação antidoping proposta pelo Ministério do Esporte. El presente estudio presenta los números relativos al control de dopaje en nuestro país, en competencia y fuera de competencia en el año 2003, considerando además las acciones preventivas desarrolladas. Todos los controles fueron realizados de acuerdo con las técnicas y los procedimientos orientados por la Agencia Mundial Antidopaje (AMA) siendo la misma una estadística descriptiva de los mismos. Los resultados mostraron 3.797 exámenes siendo 3.266 en competencia y 531 fuera de competencia con carácter sorpresivo. La mayor parte de los controles en competencia (92,1%) y fuera de la competencia (92,4%) fueron realizados por el LAB DOP, de la Universidad Federal de Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ). El fútbol profesional fue responsable por gran parte de los controles en competencia 2.975 (91,1%), presentando ocho positivos en un porcentaje bajo de 0,27%, comparado con los datos de la literatura internacional. La gran mayoría de los casos de controles fuera de competencia fueron realizados por el Comité Olímpico Brasileño (COB), durante la preparación de nuestros atletas para los XIV Juegos Pan-Americanos, en la República Dominicana (92,4%). Fueron encontrados 19 casos positivos en los controles en competencia y seis en los controles fuera de competencia. Dentro de los cuales dos de los atletas de ecuestre se negaron a brindar la muestra biológica. El porcentaje encontrado en competencia (0,5%) es menor que el que se describe internacionalmente que es de 1,8%, con excepción de la lucha (30%), del tenis de mesa paralimpico (10%), del atletismo (6,1%) y del ciclismo (4,6%). En los exámenes fuera de competencia se ha observado una incidencia mayor que la descripta internacionalmente en el fisicoculturismo (33,33%), en ecuestre (22,2%), en boxeo (7,6%). En natación (2,5%) y en atletismo (1,8%), están un poco elevados de la media encontrada (1,1%) lo que lo podría definir como estando en la media internacional (0,9%). Los trabajos de prevención del COB, de la Brasileña de Fútbol (CBF) y del LAB DOP de la UFRJ están referidos en el presente artículo juntamente con la nueva legislación antidopaje propuesta por el Ministerio del Deporte. This study presents the statistics of doping control, in- and out-of-competition in Brazil during the year 2003 and also shows the preventive actions developed. We have asked four laboratories and their coordinators to inform us about the controls on Brazilian athletes performed during the year 2003. All controls were performed under the World Anti-doping Agency's (WADA) rules and regulations. Our results show that 3,797 controls were performed in this year, being 3,266 in-competition and 531 out-of-competition controls. Most of the in-competition (92.16%) and out-of-competition tests (92.47%) were performed by LAB DOP, the doping control laboratory of the Chemical Institute of the Rio de Janeiro Federal University (UFRJ), one of the South American accredited laboratories. Professional soccer was the sport where most of the in-competition controls were performed (2.975 = 91.1%), with eight positive findings and a very low percent of positives (0.27%) when compared to the international literature. Most of the out-of-competition tests were performed by the Brazilian Olympic Committee (COB), during the preparation of our athletes for participating in the XIV Pan-American Games, at the Dominican Republic (92.47%). The positive result found was 19 positive in in-competition test and six in out-of-competition test. Two equestrian athletes refused to be tested. The percentage of positive in-competition (0.58%) is lower than the international percentages described, that ranges from 1 to 2%, with the exceptions of arm-fighting (30%), Paralympics table-tennis (10%), track and field (6.15%) and cycling (4.69%). The out-of-competition tests were found to have a greater incidence of positive results in bodybuilding (33.33%), equestrian (22.22%) and boxing (7.69%). The results of swimming (2.56%), track and field (1.89%) were in agreement with international data. The preventive actions of COB, the Brazilian Soccer Confederation and LAB DOP were shown in this article, altogether with the new anti-doping law from the Brazilian Sports Ministry.

Compulsory drug testing was introduced in 1968 by the International Olympic Committee. Since then, several doping cases have been reported in sports competition world wide. Positive results are based on the detection of prohibited substances, their metabolites and markers in biological (mainly urine) samples supplied by athletes. In some cases, the evidences were not contested and athletes admitted the use of banned substances. However, in other cases, athletes denied the use of doping to enhance performance and claimed to have inadvertently or passively absorbed the drug. Unfortunately, no current accepted analytical method is capable of distinguishing between a sample from a cheater and one from an athlete who was passively exposed to a doping agent. Athletes' allegations have included the passive inhalation of drug smoke (e.g. marijuana) or the ingestion of food or products sold as nutritional supplements that contained prohibited substances. In the scientific literature, several studies have been performed to investigate the possibility of an accidental exposure being the reason for the appearance of detectable quantities of banned substances in urine samples. Based on these studies, this article discusses those cases where the athlete's claims could be possible in generating a positive result in doping control and in which circumstances it would be improbable to happen.

The present work describes a highly precise and sensitive method developed to detect cocaine (COC), benzoylecgonine (BE, its main metabolite) and cocaethylene (CE, transesterification product of the coingestion of COC with ethanol) in human head hair samples. The method was based on an alkylchloroformate derivatization of benzoylecgonine and the extraction of the analytes by solid-phase microextraction (SPME). Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) was used to identify and quantify the analytes in selected ion monitoring mode (SIM). The limits of quantification and detection (LOQ and LOD) were: 0.1 ng/mg for COC and CE, and 0.5 ng/mg for BE. Good inter- and intra-assay precision was observed. The dynamic range of the assay was 0.1-50 ng/mg. The method is not time consuming and was shown to be easy to perform.

O objetivo desta pesquisa foi estimar o consumo e traçar o perfil dos usuários de esteróides anabólicos androgênicos (EAA) entre praticantes de musculação em três grandes academias de ginástica na cidade de São Paulo. Foi utilizado um questionário estruturado para ser respondido voluntária e anonimamente, com garantia explícita de confidencialidade para os mesmos. Os questionários ficaram disponíveis em três academias por uma semana, após ter sido feita ampla divulgação dos objetivos e importância do projeto. Responderam o questionário 209 praticantes de musculação (cerca de 3% do total). A incidência de uso de EAA foi de 19%, sendo que, destes, 8% declararam que fazem uso atualmente e 11%, que já haviam feito uso anteriormente; considerando apenas o sexo masculino, a incidência do uso foi de 24%. Os compostos mais utilizados foram estanozolol e decanoato de nandrolona. O perfil dos usuários pôde ser delineado: idade média de 27 anos (de 25 a 29 anos), predominantemente homens, motivação pela melhora na estética corporal e treinamento muscular intenso. Os EAA foram adquiridos, em sua maioria, em farmácias, sem receita médica e foram feitos uso de suplemento alimentar e outros fármacos em associação. Acreditam que os efeitos tóxicos/adversos podem ser controlados e/ou evitados com o uso de outros medicamentos e/ou acompanhamento médico. O presente trabalho mostra a necessidade de investigações mais abrangentes e aprofundadas, bem como a adoção de ações preventivas e educativas junto à população exposta aos EAA.To estimate the use of anabolic-androgenic steroids (AAS) among body builders of three - professionally equipped private gym in São Paulo, Brazil, body builders answered voluntary and anonimously a structured multiple itens questionnaire which was available for a week in these gym centers. The participants were informed in advance of the aim of the study. Of the 209 body builders attending (3% of the total), 19% had used AAS at some stage. The stratification of the results showed that 11% were composed of ex-user and 8% were of active users. Considering only male body builder the incidence of AAS was 24%. Stanozolol and nandrolone decanoate were the most commonly AAS used. The significant features of their profile were: the median age of users was 27 (25-29) years, predominantely males and motivation for using AAS was aesthetic with a high level of physical training. Food suplements as well as other drugs in association were used. Mainly AAS were bought in drugstores without prescriptions. Body builders considerered anabolic-androgenic steroids to be dangerous and that the adverse effects can be managed or avoided with other drugs or medical care. This study demonstrate the use of AAS among body builders and consequently the necessity of deep preventive and educationaly investigation among people exposed to AAS.

O objetivo desta pesquisa foi estimar o consumo e traçar o perfil dos usuários de esteróides anabólicos androgênicos (EAA) entre praticantes de musculação em três grandes academias de ginástica na cidade de São Paulo. Foi utilizado um questionário estruturado para ser respondido voluntária e anonimamente, com garantia explícita de confidencialidade para os mesmos. Os questionários ficaram disponíveis em três academias por uma semana, após ter sido feita ampla divulgação dos objetivos e importância do projeto. Responderam o questionário 209 praticantes de musculação (cerca de 3% do total). A incidência de uso de EAA foi de 19%, sendo que, destes, 8% declararam que fazem uso atualmente e 11%, que já haviam feito uso anteriormente; considerando apenas o sexo masculino, a incidência do uso foi de 24%. Os compostos mais utilizados foram estanozolol e decanoato de nandrolona. O perfil dos usuários pôde ser delineado: idade média de 27 anos (de 25 a 29 anos), predominantemente homens, motivação pela melhora na estética corporal e treinamento muscular intenso. Os EAA foram adquiridos, em sua maioria, em farmácias, sem receita médica e foram feitos uso de suplemento alimentar e outros fármacos em associação. Acreditam que os efeitos tóxicos/adversos podem ser controlados e/ou evitados com o uso de outros medicamentos e/ou acompanhamento médico. O presente trabalho mostra a necessidade de investigações mais abrangentes e aprofundadas, bem como a adoção de ações preventivas e educativas junto à população exposta aos EAA. To estimate the use of anabolic-androgenic steroids (AAS) among body builders of three - professionally equipped private gym in São Paulo, Brazil, body builders answered voluntary and anonimously a structured multiple itens questionnaire which was available for a week in these gym centers. The participants were informed in advance of the aim of the study. Of the 209 body builders attending (3% of the total), 19% had used AAS at some stage. The stratification of the results showed that 11% were composed of ex-user and 8% were of active users. Considering only male body builder the incidence of AAS was 24%. Stanozolol and nandrolone decanoate were the most commonly AAS used. The significant features of their profile were: the median age of users was 27 (25-29) years, predominantely males and motivation for using AAS was aesthetic with a high level of physical training. Food suplements as well as other drugs in association were used. Mainly AAS were bought in drugstores without prescriptions. Body builders considerered anabolic-androgenic steroids to be dangerous and that the adverse effects can be managed or avoided with other drugs or medical care. This study demonstrate the use of AAS among body builders and consequently the necessity of deep preventive and educationaly investigation among people exposed to AAS.

Ecstasy is the popular name of the abuse drug 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) that decreases immunity in animals. The mechanisms that generate such alterations are still controversial. Seven independent pharmacological approaches were performed in mice to identify the possible mechanisms underlying the decrease of neutrophil activity induced by MDMA and the possible effects of MDMA on host resistance to Listeria monocytogenes. Our data showed that MDMA (10 mg kg(-1)) administration decreases NFκB expression in circulating neutrophils. Metyrapone or RU-486 administration prior to MDMA treatment abrogated MDMA effects on neutrophil activity and NFκB expression, while 6-OHDA or ICI-118,551 administration did not. As MDMA treatment increased the plasmatic levels of adrenaline and noradrenaline, propranolol pre-treatment effects were also evaluated. Propranolol suppressed both MDMA-induced increase in corticosterone serum levels and its effects on neutrophil activity. In a L. monocytogenes experimental infection context, we showed that MDMA: induced myelosuppression by decreasing granulocyte-macrophage hematopoietic progenitors (CFU-GM) in the bone marrow but increased CFU-GM in the spleen; decreased circulating leukocytes and bone marrow cellularity and increased spleen cellularity; decreased pro-inflammatory cytokine (IL-12p70, TNF, IFN-γ, IL-6) and chemokine (MCP-1) production 24 h after the infection; increased the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines and chemokines 72 h after infection and decreased IL-10 levels at all time points analyzed. It was proposed that MDMA immunosuppressive effects on neutrophil activity and host resistance to L monocytogenes rely on NFκB signaling, being mediated by HPA axis activity and corticosterone.

Although not yet fully recognised by international sporting committees, hair analysis in doping control may be a useful adjunct to drug testing of urine. It may permit access to retrospective information and the identification of banned substances, especially when exogenous abuse has to be distinguished from other forms of involuntary exposure to identical substances. Negative hair results coupled with positive urine samples may be used to draw conclusions of involuntary doping in sports whenever athletes claim not to have ingested any drug, identical substances are present in their environment or are normal constituents of food and beverages served to them immediately before the competition. Two cases are well described in the literature in which hair analyses were fundamental in documenting positive doping after urinalysis. In Brazil, 2 cases of athletes testing positive for banned substances caught our attention because of the possibility of involuntary doping; hair analysis, if performed, may have helped to clarify the results of the urinalysis. Despite the fact that it cannot be used for routine control and overrule positive urinalysis, hair analysis can detect long term exposure as well as those substances which are not excreted in urine. In the current International Olympic Committee (IOC) code, hair analysis is not yet considered useful even in special cases of doping control.

This work reports the multimiligram separation of 3,4-methylenedioxy-methamphetamine (MDMA) enantiomers using batch chromatography with peak shaving recycling. The effect of both enantiomers compared to the racemic mixture was examined on the oxidative stress status of rat liver. The enantiomeric purification was performed using a based cyclodextrin chiral selector and methanol:ammonium acetate buffer (pH 6.0, 100mM) (30:70, v/v) as mobile phase. The average mass rate obtained was 40.0mg/day, providing 45.0mg of the (R)-(-)-MDMA (e.r. 99.0%) and 75.0mg (e.r. 96.0%) of (S)-(+)-MDMA. Racemic MDMA and both enantiomers were administered per orally to Wistar rats and oxidative stress status parameters, as liver total glutathione levels and malondialdehyde (MDA) production in liver were evaluated. There was a significant decrease in hepatic glutathione content in the racemic MDMA and the (R)-(-)-MDMA-treated rats when compared to the control and to (S)-(+)-MDMA. These results demonstrate that the R-enantiomer is the enantiomer that contributes to the depletion of hepatic glutathione induced by the racemic mixture. The high reactivity of the R-enantiomer of MDMA in the liver can also be observed in animals treated with (R)-(-)-MDMA. The production of malondialdehyde (MDA) by (R)-(-)-MDMA was significantly higher when compared to the other treated groups and control.

Objective: 3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA), or ecstasy, is a synthetic drug used recreationally, mainly by young people. It has been suggested that MDMA has a Th cell skewing effect, in which Th1 cell activity is suppressed and Th2 cell activity is increased. Experimental allergic airway inflammation in ovalbumin (OVA)-sensitized rodents is a useful model to study Th2 response; therefore, based on the Th2 skewing effect of MDMA, we studied MDMA in a model of allergic lung inflammation in OVA-sensitized mice. Methods: We evaluated cell trafficking in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid, blood and bone marrow; cytokine production; L-selectin expression and lung histology. We also investigated the effects of MDMA on tracheal reactivity in vitro and mast cell degranulation. Results: We found that MDMA given prior to OVA challenge in OVA-sensitized mice decreased leukocyte migration into the lung, as revealed by a lower cell count in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid and lung histologic analysis. We also showed that MDMA decreased expression of both Th2-like cytokines (IL-4, IL-5 and IL-10) and adhesion molecules (L-selectin). Moreover, we showed that the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal axis is partially involved in the MDMA-induced reduction in leukocyte migration into the lung. Finally, we showed that MDMA decreased tracheal reactivity to methacholine as well as mast cell degranulation in situ. Conclusions: Thus, we report here that MDMA given prior to OVA challenge in OVA-sensitized allergic mice is able to decrease lung inflammation and airway reactivity and that hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal axis activation is partially involved. Together, the data strongly suggest an involvement of a neuroimmune mechanism in the effects of MDMA on lung inflammatory response and cell recruitment to the lungs of allergic animals.

Benzodiazepines (BZD) are widely used for the treatment of anxiety. They enhance GABA-ergic neurotransmission through the binding on specific BDZ recognition sites, within the GABA(A) receptor-ion channel complex. However, recent studies showed that BZD also act on peripheral benzodiazepine receptor sites (PBR) or translocator protein 18 kDa (TSPO). Evidence for a direct immunomodulatory action for BZD emerged from studies that demonstrated the presence of TSPO on immune/inflammatory cells. The present study was designed to analyze the effects of diazepam on rat lymphocyte parameters, specifically on phenotype, cell proliferation and cell death. The effects of both acute and long-term (21 days) diazepam (1 and 10 mg/kg/day) administrations were evaluated. Results showed that diazepam (1 mg/kg) treatment did not change the immune parameters analyzed. However, both diazepam (10 mg/kg) acute and long-term treatments decreased the number of apoptotic cells; they also increased the percentage of T cytotoxic cells; decreased the percentage of B cells and increased the corticosterone serum levels. The induction of functional tolerance was suggested for the highest dose of diazepam (10 mg/kg), but not for the smaller dose (1 mg/kg) used, at least for diazepam effects on corticosterone serum levels. Diazepam effects were discussed as being related to the number of TSPO sites present on immune cells and/or to the increased levels of serum corticosterone observed after the treatments used.

Objective: Looking for possible neuroimmune relationships, we analyzed the effects of methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) administration on neuroendocrine, neutrophil activity and leukocyte distribution in mice. Methods: Five experiments were performed. In the first, mice were treated with MDMA (10 mg/kg) 30, 60 min and 24 h prior to blood sample collection for neutrophil activity analysis. In the second experiment, the blood of naïve mice was collected and incubated with MDMA for neutrophil activity in vitro analysis. In the third and fourth experiments, mice were injected with MDMA (10 mg/kg) and 60 min later, blood and brain were collected to analyze corticosterone serum levels and hypothalamic noradrenaline (NA) levels and turnover. In the last experiment, mice were injected with MDMA 10 mg/kg and 60 min later, blood, bone marrow and spleen were collected for leukocyte distribution analysis. Results: Results showed an increase in hypothalamic NA turnover and corticosterone serum levels 60 min after MDMA (10 mg/kg) administration, a decrease in peripheral blood neutrophil oxidative burst and a decrease in the percentage and intensity of neutrophil phagocytosis. It was further found that MDMA (10 mg/kg) treatment also altered leukocyte distribution in blood, bone marrow and spleen. In addition, no effects were observed for MDMA after in vitro exposure both in neutrophil oxidative burst and phagocytosis. Conclusion: The effects of MDMA administration (10 mg/kg) on neutrophil activity and leukocyte distribution might have been induced indirectly through noradrenergic neurons and/or hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis activations.

A fast method was optimized and validated with the aim to detect cannabinoids (cannabidiol, cannabinol, and delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol) in human head hair samples. The method was based on an initial procedure of external decontamination of hair samples (10 mg) with petroleum ether, followed by alkaline digestion and further extraction of cannabinoids by means of a headspace solid-phase microextraction technique (HS-SPME). GC-MS was used to identify and quantify the analytes in SIM mode. The LOQs and LODs obtained were 0.07 and 0.12 ng/mg, respectively, for all the studied cannabinoids. The method proved to be simple, rapid, and precise. By using the weighted least squares linear regression (weighting factor 1/x2), the accuracy of the analytical method was improved at the lower end of the calibration curve (from 0.12 to 12 ng/mg; r >0.98). Hair samples collected from eight volunteers (in-patients of a drug abuse rehabilitation clinic) were submitted to the proposed method. Detection of the drugs was observed in samples of the volunteers who reported frequent marijuana use (at least ten times a week).

Esteróides androgênicos anabólicos (EAA) são substâncias naturais, sintéticas ou semi-sintéticas derivadas da testosterona, utilizadas em atividades esportivas com o objetivo de melhorar o desempenho físico pelo aumento de massa e força muscular. Apesar de causarem efeitos tóxicos graves, principalmente sobre os sistemas cardiovascular, hepático e neuro-endócrino, os EAA têm sido amplamente utilizados no âmbito esportivo. Desta forma, o presente trabalho teve como objetivo a validação de um método para a determinação de esteróides e/ou seus produtos de biotransformação em amostras de urina por cromatografia gasosa acoplada à espectrometria de massas (CG-EM). O método baseou-se na hidrólise enzimática de esteróides conjugados, no emprego da extração líquido-líquido e na derivação do extrato para posterior análise por CG-EM, no modo de monitoramento seletivo de íons (SIM). O método validado cumpriu com os princípios de confiança necessários para a determinação de EAA em amostras de urina com a finalidade de controle de dopagem no esporte. Os limites de detecção dos esteróides analizados variaram de 0,5 a 15 ng/mL. Bons valores de precisão (intra e interensaio) também foram obtidos (CV< 11%). Amostras de voluntários (n=10) que relataram uso de EAA foram submetidas ao método. Pela análise das amostras, foi verificado o uso dos principais esteróides utilizados no âmbito esportivo no Brasil. Androgenic anabolic steroids (AAS) are defined as natural, synthetic or semi-synthetic drugs chemically derived from testosterone, used with the aim to improve physical performance by increasing both muscle strength and mass. Despite their reported toxicological effects on the cardiovascular, hepatic and neuro-endocrine systems, the AAS have been extensively used in sports activities. The objective of this study was to validate an analytical method for the detection of AAS and/or their metabolites in urine samples. The method was based on enzymatic hydrolysis, liquid-liquid extraction, derivatization and further analysis by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) operated in the selected ion monitoring mode (SIM). The validated method agrees with the confidence concepts for AAS detection in urine samples for anti-doping control programs. The limits of detection of AAS varied from 0,5 to 15ng/mL. Good inter and intra-assay precisions were also observed (CV< 11%). Urine samples collected from volunteers (n=10) who reported AAS use were submitted to the method and the most used AAS in Brazil were successfully detected.

Efedrinas são aminas simpatomiméticas componentes de diversas especialidades farmacêuticas, utilizadas no tratamento de doenças respiratórias devido à sua ação descongestionante e broncodilatora. Atualmente, diversos produtos comercializados como suplementos nutricionais contêm efedrinas e são amplamente utilizados no meio esportivo, com o objetivo de facilitar a queima de gorduras e melhorar o desempenho. Entretanto, o uso indiscriminado destas substâncias pode acarretar série de efeitos tóxicos como hipertensão, taquicardia, cefaléia e tremores. Devido à sua ação psicoestimulante, foram incluídas na lista de substâncias proibidas nas atividades esportivas pelo Comitê Olímpico Internacional (COI) e estabelecidas concentrações na urina para o controle da dopagem (efedrina e metilefedrina: 10 µg/mL). O presente trabalho teve como objetivo a validação de um método para quantificação de efedrinas, por cromatografia em fase gasosa acoplada a detetor de nitrogênio/fósforo (CG/DNP), em amostras de urina com a finalidade de controle da dopagem. O método consistiu em extração líquido-líquido e posterior derivação das efedrinas com anidrido trifluoroacético, e demonstrou ser simples e prático, apresentando linearidade nas faixas de concentração estudadas. Amostras de urina de voluntários que relataram uso de efedrinas foram submetidas à análise pelo método proposto. Ephedrines are sympathomimetic amines present in many pharmaceutical preparations used in the treatment of respiratory diseases due to their actions against broncospasm and congestion. Nowadays, several products sold as nutritional supplements contain ephedrines and are widely used in a diverse range of sports as weight loss aids and enhancement of athletic performance. However, the abuse of ephedrines may lead to a number of adverse effects including hypertension, headache, tachycardia and seizure. Due to their CNS stimulating action, ephedrines are included in the prohibited list of substances by the International Olympic Committee (IOC). Urinary threshold concentrations were established (ephedrine and methylephedrine >10 µg/mL). The aim of this work was to develop and validate a method for the simultaneous determination of ephedrines present in urine samples for doping purposes by gas chromatography with nitrogenous-phosphorous detector (GC/NPD). The method was based on a liquid-liquid extraction of alkalinized urine and further derivatization with trifluoroacetic anhydride (TFA). The validated method showed to be simple, practical and linear at the studied concentrations range. Urine samples collected from volunteers, who reported the use of ephedrines, were submitted to the proposed method.

A razão entre a concentração de testosterona e cortisol (T:C) é freqüentemente utilizada como indicativo do nível de estresse imposto pelo exercício. Alterações na concentração destes hormônios são responsáveis por modular diversas respostas induzidas pelo treinamento, como hipertrofia e ganho de força. O objetivo do presente estudo foi examinar a influência do protocolo de treinamento de força, conhecido como múltiplas-séries (MS), sobre o ganho de força, de resistência muscular localizada e a relação entre a concentração de hormônios catabólicos (cortisol) e anabólicos (testosterona). Para testar esta hipótese cinco jovens do sexo feminino com um ano de experiência em treinamento de força foram submetidas ao protocolo MS. As amostras de sangue foram coletadas antes e imediatamente após o exercício, no primeiro dia e após oito semanas de treinamento. Os testes de 1-RM e de repetições máximas foram realizados também no início e ao final das oito semanas de treinamento de força. Não foram observadas alterações na massa corporal, no IMC, na percentagem de massa gorda e na força máxima (1-RM) no supino, no agachamento e na rosca direta. O número de repetições máximas a 50% de 1-RM foi aumentado apenas para o supino (p < 0,05). Não foi observada alteração na concentração de testosterona total. Com relação à concentração plasmática de cortisol, após oito semanas de treino, na situação de repouso, foi reduzida (38% - p < 0,05). Em conseqüência da atenuação da secreção de cortisol após oito semanas de treinamento, a razão T:C apresentou elevação de 20% na situação de repouso (p < 0,05). Apesar de não terem sido detectadas alterações funcionais nos testes de 1-RM e repetições máximas, o método MS induziu um quadro hormonal favorável ao anabolismo protéico. The ratio between the concentration of testosterone and cortisol (T:C) is frequently used as indicative of the stress level imposed by the exercise. Alterations in the concentration of these hormones are responsible for modulating several responses induced by training, such as hypertrophy and strength gain. The objective of the present study was to investigate the influence of the resistance training protocol, also known as multiple-series (MS), on the strength gain, the muscular endurance and the relation between the concentration of catabolic hormones (cortisol) and anabolic hormones (testosterone). In order to test this hypothesis, five young women with one-year of strength training practice were submitted to the MS protocol. The blood samples were collected before and immediately after the exercise at the first day and after eight weeks of training. The 1-RM and the maximal repetition tests were also performed at the beginning and after eight weeks of strength training. No alterations on the body mass, on the IMC, on the fat mass percentage and on the maximal strength (1-RM) on bench press, squat and arm curl were observed. The number of maximal repetitions at 50% of the 1-RM was increased only for the bench press (p < 0.05). No alterations on the concentration of the total testosterone were observed. The cortisol plasmatic concentration, after eight weeks of training, in the rest situation, was reduced (38%; p < 0.05). Due to the lessening of the cortisol secretion after eight weeks of training, the T:C ratio presented elevation of 20% in the rest situation (p < 0.05). Although no functional alterations in the 1-RM and maximal repetitions tests were detected, the MS method induced a hormonal condition favorable to the protein metabolism. La razón entre testosterona y cortisol (T:C) es frecuentemente utilizada como indicador del nivel de stress impuesto por el ejercicio. Las alteraciones de las concentraciones de estas hormonas son las responsables por modular diversas respuestas inducidas por el entrenamiento, como son la hipertrofia y el aumento de la fuerza. El objetivo del presente estudio fué examinar la influencia del protocolo de entrenamiento de fuerza, conocido como series multiples (MS), sobre la ganancia de fuerza, la resistencia muscular localizada y la relación entre las concentraciones de las hormonas catabólicas (cortisol) y anabólicas (testoterona). Para testar esta hipótesis, cinco jovenes del sexo feminino con un año de experiencia en entrenamiento de fuerza fueron sometidas al protocolo MS. Las muestras de sangre fueron colectadas antes e imediatamente después del ejercicio, en el primer día y después de ocho semanas de entrenamiento. Los tests de 1-RM y de repeticiones máximas fueron realizados también al inicio y al final después de las ocho semanas del entrenamiento de fuerza. No fueron observadas alteraciones de la masa corporal, IMC, porcentaje de masa grasa, fuerza (1-RM) para los ejercicios supino, agachamiento y rosca directa. El número de repeticiones máximas al 50% de 1-RM fue aumentando solamente apenas para el supino (p < 0,05). No se observó alteración en la concentración de la testosterona total. Con relación a la concentración plasmática de cortisol después de las ocho semanas de entrenamiento, en la situación de reposo fué reducida (38% - p < 0,05). En consecuencia de la atenuación de la secreción de cortisol después de ocho semanas de entrenamiento, la razón T:C presentó elevación del 20% de la situación de reposo (p < 0,05). A pesar de no haber sido detectadas alteraciones funcionales en los tests de 1-RM de repeticiones máximas, el método MS indujo un cuadro hormonal favorable al anabolismo proteico.

A high incidence of positive cases for cannabinoids, in analyses for doping control in sports, has been observed since the International Olympic Committee (IOC) included them in the 1989 list of prohibited drugs under the title of classes of prohibited substances in certain circumstances. Where the rules of sports federations so provide, tests are conducted for marijuana, hashish or any other cannabis product exposure by means of urinalysis of 11-nor-delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol-9-carboxylic acid (carboxy-THC) the main metabolite of delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). Concentrations >15 ng/mL (cut-off value) in confirmatory analytical procedures are considered doping. Cannabis is an illicit drug in several countries and has received much attention in the media for its potential therapeutic uses and the efforts to legalise its use. Studies have demonstrated that the use of cannabinoids can reduce anxiety, but it does not have ergogenic potential in sports activities. An increase in heart rate and blood pressure, decline of cardiac output and reduced psychomotor activity are some of the pharmacological effects of THC that will determine a decrease in athletic performance. An ergolytic activity of cannabis products has been observed in athletes of several different sport categories. In Brazil, analyses for doping control in sports, performed in our laboratories, have detected positive cases for carboxy-THC in urine samples of soccer, volleyball, cycling and other athletes. It is our intention to discuss in this article some points that may discourage individuals from using cannabis products during sports activities, even in the so-called permitted circumstances defined by the IOC and some sports federations.

In the present work, a method was developed aiming at the serial detection of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), amphetamine, methamphetamine, cocaine and ethanol in saliva. Saliva samples were submitted to an initial headspace procedure for ethanol determination by gas chromatography/flame ionization detector (GC-FID). After this step, two consecutive solid-phase micro-extractions (SPME) were carried out: THC was extracted by submersing a polydimethylsiloxane fiber (100 micro m) in the vial for 20 min; amphetamine, methamphetamine and cocaine were subsequently extracted after alkalinization. Derivatization of the amphetamines was carried out directly in the solution by adding 2 micro l of butylchloroformate. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) was used to identify the analytes in selected ion monitoring (SIM) mode. Confidence parameters of validation of the method were: recovery, linearity, intra- and inter-assay precision as well as limits of detection and quantification of the analytes. The limits of quantification (LOQ) obtained were: ethanol (0.010 g/l); amphetamine (5.0 ng/ml); methamphetamine (0.5 ng/ml); cocaine (5 ng/ml) and THC (5 ng/ml). The method proved to be highly precise (coefficient of variation

Drug profiling, isto é, a caracterização de amostras de drogas apreendidas no sentido de estabelecer conexões entre apreensões realizadas em diferentes épocas e/ou locais a uma origem comum de produção clandestina, tem sido um objetivo dos órgãos governamentais responsáveis pela prevenção/repressão. Especificamente tratando-se de comprimidos de ecstasy, o conhecimento de suas propriedades físicas e químicas é de relevante importância para discriminar a apreensão de diferentes lotes. Nesse contexto, o presente trabalho propõe uma nova abordagem para estabelecer conexões entre apreensões de comprimidos de ecstasy, por meio da calorimetria exploratória diferencial (DSC), termogravimetria (TG) e difratometria de raios-X (DRX). Também foi realizada a caracterização física de todos os comprimidos (logotipo, coloração, massa, diâmetro e espessura), bem como a identificação/quantificação dos constituintes ativos por cromatografia em fase gasosa acoplada à espectrometria de massas (GC-MS) e o perfil de dissolução in vitro. Além disso, foi desenvolvido um método empregando a extração líquido-líquido para o isolamento da 3,4-metilenodioximetanfetamina (MDMA) dos comprimidos de ecstasy, que posteriormente foi cristalizada para cloridrato de MDMA (MDMA.HCl). Foram analisados dezessete diferentes lotes de comprimidos de ecstasy de diversos logotipos e colorações apreendidos no município de São Paulo, Brasil. Apenas um lote apresentou como única substância ativa a clorofenilpiperazina (CPP). Os outros continham apenas MDMA e o conteúdo de MDMA variou de 29 a 115-mg/comprimido. Os valores de massa dos comprimidos variaram de 143 a 341-mg, a espessura de 3,2 a 5,8-mm e o diâmetro de 7,0 a 9,5-mm. A comparação das curvas obtidas, tanto por calorimetria exploratória diferencial (DSC) como pelos difratogramas de raios-X (DRX), permitiu discriminar aqueles com perfis semelhantes, importante para identificar a origem de produção. O baixo grau de cristalinidade do MDMA.HCl de alguns comprimidos de ecstasy não impediu a caracterização por DSC e DRX. Esses resultados podem ser úteis para a aplicação no trabalho de inteligência forense. Drug profiling or the characterization of seized drug samples to link seizures made at different times and/or locations to their common clandestine origin, has long been a goal of law enforcement agencies. Considering the trafficking of ecstasy tablets, the knowledge of chemical and physical properties is of utmost importance to discriminate between different seizures. In this context this study proposed a new approach to establish links among seizures of ecstasy tablets by using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), thermogravimetry (TG) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). Besides this characterization, physical appearance (logotype, color, weight, diameter and thickness), identification/quantification of active constituents by gas chromatography/ mass spectrometry (GC/MS) and in vitro drug dissolution assays were performed too. A method employing liquid-liquid extraction was also developed for the isolation of 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) from ecstasy tablets and afterwards MDMA was crystallized to MDMA hydrochloride (MDMA.HCl). Seventeen different lots of various logotypes and colors of confiscated ecstasy tablets from seizures in São Paulo city, Brazil, were analyzed. Chlorophenylpiperazine (CPP) was found only as an active ingredient in one batch. The others tablets contained only MDMA and the content of MDMA varied from 29 to 115-mg/tablet. The weight values of tablets varied from 143 to 341-mg, the thickness from 3,2 to 5,8-mm and the diameter from 7,0 to 9,5-mm. DSC/TG curves and X-ray difratograms of the ecstasy tablets allowed distinguishing those with similar profile, for both techniques, which is important to identify the source of production. The low degree of MDMA.HCl crystallinity of some ecstasy tablets didnt prevent DSC and XRD characterization. These results can be useful for forensic intelligence work application.

Um método cromatográfico foi desenvolvido para determinação dos antidepressivos mais prescritos no Brasil e seus produtos de biotransfomação (amitriptilina, imipramina, clomipramina, desmetilclomipramina, desipramina, nortriptilina, fluoxetina, norfluoxetina e sertralina) em sangue total por cromatografia em fase gasosa com detector de nitrogênio e fósforo. A extração em fase sólida (EFS) com o cartucho abselutTM NEXUS foi empregada de forma inovadora. O procedimento de extração consistiu na diluição de 0,5mL de sangue total em tampão (pH 9,5), aplicação da amostra no cartucho, remoção de interferentes usando tampão (pH 9,5) e eluição dos analitos com diclorometano/ isopropanol (17/3 v/v); a etidocaína foi adotada como padrão interno. Os limites de detecção (LD) e quantificação (LIQ) encontrados foram de 0,1mg/L a 0,4mg/L e de 0,4mg/L a 1,6mg/L, respectivamente. O método foi preciso, específico e linear na faixa de concentração estudada (do LIQ até 12mg/L). A recuperação média de todos os analitos foi 65,5%. O método foi aplicado em amostras de âmbito forense e de emergência clínica. A gas chromatographic method was developed to determine antidepressants most prescribed in Brazil and their metabolites (amitriptyline, imipramine, clomipramine, desmethylclomipramine, desipramine, nortriptyline, fluoxetine, norfluoxetine, and sertralina) in whole blood, using solid phase extraction and gas chromatography with nitrogen-phosphorus detection. The solid-phase extraction (SPE) with abselutTM NEXUS was applied in an innovative manner. The extraction procedure consists of the dilution of 0.5mL of whole blood in buffer (pH 9.5), application of the sample in the cartridge, washing with buffer (pH 9.5) and elution of the analytes with dichloromethane/isopropanol (17/3, v/v). The limit of detection (LOD) and quantification (LLOQ) were from 0.1mg/L to 0.4mg/L and from 0.4mg/L to 1.6mg/L, respectively. Etidocaine was used as internal standard. The method was precise, specific and linear in the studied concentration (range from LLOQ to 12mg/L). The average recovery of all analytes was 65,5%. Forensic and clinical emergency samples were submitted to the validated method.

A Ipomoea carnea, pertencente à família das Convolvulaceae, é uma planta tóxica que tem ampla distribuição pelo país, tendo como principal princípio ativo a suainsonina. É uma das poucas plantas que se conserva verde durante a seca, podendo servir como fonte de matéria verde para bovinos, ovinos e caprinos, é nesse período, quando normalmente ocorrem os casos de intoxicação, sendo a espécie caprina a mais susceptível. Até o momento, não há relatos sobre efeitos tóxicos desta planta em conseqüência da possível passagem transplacentária da suainsonina. Assim, o objetivo do presente estudo foi avaliar os possíveis efeitos teratogênicos da I. carnea, em caprinos. Foram usados 20 cabras, divididas em 4 grupos iguais: 3 experimentais e 1 controle. As cabras dos grupos experimentais receberam a partir do 27° dia de prenhez até o final da gestação 1,0; 5,0 e 7,5 glkg/dia de I. carnea. Nas fêmeas gestantes foi feito o exame clínico periódico, colheita de sangue para avaliação do hemograma e bioquímica sanguínea, exames fetais ultra-sonográficos (US) e acompanhamento do parto. Ao nascimento, todos os filhotes foram avaliados para identificação de malformações, alguns foram submetidos à eutanásia, para a realização do estudo anatomopatológico e nos demais avaliou-se o ganho de peso, hemograma e bioquímica sanguínea. Os resultados obtidos mostraram que apenas as fêmeas que receberam 7,5g/kg de I.carnea apresentaram sintomatologia nervosa. No estudo US feito na 5°, 7° e 9° semana, observou-se redução significante dos movimentos fetais, de todos os animais experimentais. Alterações hematolágicas e na bioquímica sérica (como o aumento dos níveis sérico de glicose, aspartato amino transferase, uréia, fosfatase alcalina, albumina e diminuição dos níveis sé ricos de gama-glutamil transferase e colesterol) foram observadas em cabras dos grupos experimentais. No estudo histopatológico foram observadas vacuolizacões em diversos tecidos (fígado, rim e no sistema nervoso central). Na 10° semana de gestação uma cabra, tratada com a maior dose, abortou espontaneamente um feto, o qual apresentou artrogripose e ausência do fechamento da cavidade abdominal. Ao nascimento, verificou-se a ocorrência de mal formações fetais em filhotes caracterizada por retroagnatia, contratura congênita múltipla dos membros e artrogripose. Estes achados permitem concluir, que a ingestão da I. carnea durante a gestação de cabras, além de causar toxicidade materna, pode causar efeitos teratogênicos e que o US pode ser útil para acompanhar a ocorrência de efeitos nocivos desencadeados pela planta, durante a vida intra-uterina. Ipomoea carnea (Convolvulaceae) is a toxic plant largely distributed throughout Brazil. The alkaloid swainsonine is the major active compound present in the plant. I. Carnea is resistent to drought, serving during this adverse climatic condition as a food source for cattle, sheeps and goats. It is well known that the ingestion of the plant promotes toxic effects to the animais, in particular to goats, the most susceptible specie. There are no reports about toxic effects of the plant to fetuses as a consequence of a possible placental transportation of the compound swainsonine. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the possible teratogenic effects of I. Carnea in goats. In the study 20 female goats were employed, divided into 4 groups: 3 experimental and 1 control. The experimental goats received from gestation day (GD) 27 to parturition day 1.0, 5.0 or 7.5 g/Kglday of I.carnea fresh leaves. Duringpregnancy the females were periodically accompanied by hematologic studies as hemograms and serum biochemical assays, ultrasonographic (US) fetuses assays and were accompanied during parturition. At post-natal day (PND) 01 ali the pups were evaluated for identificationof physical anormalities. Some were euthanized for histopathologic studies and the others had weight gain, hemograms and biochemical blood tests recorded during development. The obtained data showed that only the 7.5 g/Kg/day treated dams presented neurologic effects. The US study realized at the 5th,6thand th weeks of gestation, showed that ali the experimental groups presented significant reduction of the fetal intrauterine moviments. Hematologic and serum blood biochemical alterations (Iike increased levels of glucose, aspartate-amine transferase, urea, alkaline phosphatase, albumine and reduced levels of gamma-glutamyl transferase and cholesterol) were observed in goats of the experimental groups. The histopathologic study showed vacuolization in several tissues (liver,kidneys and brain). At the 10thweek of gestation one goat, treated with the increased dose, aborted a fetus. This fetus presented arthrogriposis and no closure of the abdominal cavity.At parturition(PND01) fetal malformationswere observed and characterized as retrognatia, multiple congenit contracture of the members and arthrogriposis. The present data showed that I. Carnea ingestion by pregnant goats promoted maternal toxicityand fetal teratogenic effects. In addition, the US showed to be an important tool to monitorize the toxic effects promoted by the plant ingestion during intrauterine life.

Foi desenvolvido um método para determinar canabinóides (canabidiol, canabinol e delta-9-tetraidrocanabinol) no cabelo. Uma amostra de 10mg foi descontaminada com diclorometano, seguida de digestão alcalina, microextração em fase sólida por headspace (HS-SPME) e analisada por espectrometria de massa associada à cromatografia em fase gasosa (GC/MS). Os limites de detecção e de quantificação foram de 0,07 e 0,12 ng/mg, respectivamente, para todos canabinóides estudados. O método demonstrou ser simples, rápido, preciso e linear no intervalo de 0,12 a 12 ng/mg (r2 > 0,98). Amostras de cabelo de 8 usuários de Cannabis foram coletadas de pacientes provenientes de uma clínica dependentes pela equipe médica. O método mostrou-se eficiente em amostras de cabelos de usuários que faziam uso da droga pelo menos 10 vezes por semana. A method was to develop to detect cannabinoids (cannabidiol, cannabinol and delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol) in hair. A 10 mg of hair sample was descontaminated by dichloromethane followed by alkalin digestion, headspace solid-phase microextraction technique (HS-SPME) and analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (CG/MS). The detection and quantitation limits were 0,07 and 0,12ng/mg respectively for all studied cannabinoids. The method proved to be simple, fast, precise and linear at the range of 0,12 to 12ng/mg (r2 > 0,98). Eight hair samples of Cannabis user were collected from patients at admittance from a dependence clinic by clinical staff. The method showed efficient in samples of users who use the drug at least 10 fold a week.

A lpomoea carnea, planta amplamente distribuída no Brasil, quando ingerida pelos animais provoca efeitos neurotóxicos. Não há relatos a respeito de seus efeitos sobre a prole de animais expostos durante a gestação. Assim, no presente trabalho estudou-se os efeitos da exposição à planta durante a gestação de ratas. Os animais receberam, por gavage, a partir do 5° dia de gestação, diferentes concentrações da fração aquosa da planta (0,7; 3,0 ou 15,0 mg/kg/dia). Os filhotes foram analisados quanto ao desenvolvimento físico e reflexológico; quando adultos avaliou-se aspectos comportamentais e níveis de neurotransmissores cerebrais. Os resultados mostraram alta mortalidade dos filhotes expostos à maior dose, que nasceram com menor comprimento. Os sobreviventes apresentaram retardo na abertura dos ouvidos e na geotaxia negativa. Não foram observadas alterações nos vários comportamentos avaliados e nos níveis de neurotransmissores cerebrais destes animais quando adultos. Estes resultados mostram que a exposição de ratos durante a gestação à Ipomoea carnea produz alguns efeitos tóxicos nos recém-nascidos, porém não afeta o desenvolvimento e os parâmetros comportamentais avaliados nos animais já adultos. Ipomoea carnea, plant Iargely distributed in Brazil, when ingested by animais causes neurotoxic effects. No relates about it\'s effects upon offspring of animais exposed during gestation period appears in the literature. So, in this work, the effects of the exposure of rats, during the gestation period, to the plant were studied. The rats received, by gavage, since the fifth day of gestation, diferent concentrations of the aqueous fraction of the plant (0.7, 3.0 or 15.0 mg/kg/day). The pups were evaluated by physical and reflexological development; when adults, behavior and cerebral neurotransmitters leveis were analised. The results demonstrated that the pups exposed to the higher dose presented high mortality and smaller size at birth. The survivors showed delay in both ears opening and negative geotaxis. No alterations were observed in ali the behaviors evaluated and in the leveis of cerebral neurotransmitters of the animais when adults. This results shows that exposition of rats during gestation to Ipomoea carnea produce some toxic effects in their offspring that don\'t changes the development and the behaviors parameters evaluated in the rats in adult age.

Ipomoea carnea, planta tóxica da família da Convolvulaceae, possui a suainsonina um alcalóide indolizidínico, o qual promove inibição da enzima α-manosidase ácida ou lisossômica levando ao acúmulo celular de oligossacarídeos não metabolizados adequadamente, causando vacuolização celular. A planta também possui outros alcalóides, as calisteginas que inibem as β-glicosidases, agravando o efeito causado pela suainsonina. O objetivo do presente estudo foi de avaliar as possíveis alterações clínicas, bioquímicas, hematológicas, neuroquímica e patológicas em caprinos tratados com diferentes doses de I. carnea. Foram usados 25 caprinos, divididos em 5 grupos iguais: 4 experimental e 1 controle. Os caprinos dos grupos experimentais receberam durante 4 meses diferentes doses de I. carnea: 2,5; 5,0; 10,0 e 30,0 g/kg/dia. Semanalmente, os animais foram pesados e avaliados clinicamente. Coletou-se sangue da veia jugular, quinzenalmente, para determinação da concentração de glicose, colesterol, alanina transferase (ALT), aspartato transaminase (AST), uréia e creatinina, e mensalmente para a determinação do hemograma. No final do período experimental, todos os caprinos foram submetidos à eutanásia e fragmentos de cérebro, medula espinal, nervo ciático, tireóide, miocárdio, fígado, rim, baço, pulmão, pâncreas e intestinos foram coletados e fixados para estudo anatomopatológico. Os resultados mostraram que os animais experimentais apresentavam nistagmo, tremores musculares, fraqueza dos membros pélvicos, incoordenação motora e ataxia. O estudo bioquímico revelou que os animais experimentais apresentaram menores níveis de glicose e aumento nos níveis de AST, ALT e creatinina. O estudo hematológico mostrou significante redução nos níveis de hemácias, hemoglobina e hematócrito. A histopatologia revelou alterações vacuolares no fígado, pâncreas, tireóide, células renais e em neurônios do sistema nervoso central. Os resultados apresentados permitem concluir, que a ingestão da I. carnea produz toxicidade para a espécie caprina de forma dose-dependente. Ipomoea carnea, a shrub plant of Convolvulaceae family, possess swainsonine, an indolizidinic alkaloid, which promotes cellular accumulation of not metabolized oligossacarides, due to inhibition of acid or lisossomal α-manosidasis enzyme, causing cellular vacuolization. The plant also has other alkaloid, the calystegein, which inhibits β-glicosidase, aggravating the effect of the swainsonine. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the possible clinical, biochemical, hematological, pathological and neurochemistry alterations in goat treated with different doses of green leaves of the Ipomoea carnea. It was used 25 goats, divided in 5 equal groups: 4 experimental and 1 control. Goats from experimental groups received, during 4 months the different doses of Ipomoea carnea: 2,5; 5,0; 10,0 and 30,0 9 of plantlkg of live weight Iday. Weekly, the animais were weighted and evaluated clinically. Before the experimental period and every other week blood samples were taken from jugular vein in order to determine the and the concentration of the glucose, cholesterol, alanine transaminase (ALT), aspartate transaminase (AST), γ-glutamyltransferase (GGT), blood urea nitrogen (BUN), and creatinina, and every month to determinate the hemogram. At the end of the experimental period, ali the goats were killed and fragments from brain, spinal cord, sciatic nerve, thyroids, myocardium, liver, kidney, spleen, lung, pancreas, intestine were collect, fixed in 10% formalin and routinely embedded in paraffin. Results showed that the animais from ali experimental groups presented nystagmus, muscular tremors, weakness of the hind limbs, incoordination of movement and ataxia. The biochemical study revealed that these animais presented significant increase in the AST, ALT and creatinine levels, when compared with goats from control group. The hematological study showed significant reduction in the levels of hemoglobin, and hematocrit in ali goats that had been treated with Ipomoea carnea. The histopathology revealed degenerative vacuolar alterations of liver, pancreas, thyroid, kidneys cells and in the neurons of the central nervous system in animais that received the plant and these alterations were more prominent in goats treated with the higher dose of I.carnea. Thus, the results presented here permit to conclude that the ingestion of Ipomoea carnea, is certainly toxic in goat production.