– Contribution to higher reliability of doping testing at international sports events –
Researchers: YAMAZAKI Taichi, Senior Researcher, KUROE Miho, Researcher, SHIMIZU Yoshitaka, Senior Researcher, and SAITO Naoki, Researcher, Organic Primary Standards Group, Research Institute for Material and Chemical Measurement, National Metrology Institute of Japan (NMIJ), NUMATA Masahiko, Principal Research Manager of the institute, and IHARA Toshihide, Director, Research Laboratory for Calibration Standards in Doping Analysis, NMIJ
- Development and supply of certified reference materials necessary for calibration of analytical equipment used for doping testing
- Certified values (concentrations of standard solutions) with high reliability using quantitative nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (qNMR) and other methods
- Fairness in the Olympic and Paralympic Games etc. supported by metrology
The role of certified reference materials in doping testing
Doping testing at international sports events is conducted in accordance with the List of Prohibited Substances and Methods (World Anti-Doping Code and International Standards) published by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA). Due to the increasing diversity of doping practices, the number of prohibited substances has continued to increase and now totals 300 substances and more. Currently, liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry is commonly used to analyze trace biologically active substances such as doping prohibited substances. To quantify a target substance, the analytical equipment needs to be calibrated with a reference material for the substance. The certified (metrological traceability ensured) reference materials are therefore needed for reliable analytical results of doping testing.
The researchers have developed standard solutions as certified reference materials for use in quantifying 4-hydroxyclomiphene and 3β,4α-dihydroxy-5α-androstan-17-one, which are target substances for doping testing. WADA requested AIST to provide support for strengthening the testing infrastructure for the Olympic and Paralympic Games. Using qNMR and other methods, AIST has developed two types of certified reference materials (standard solutions) composed of the metabolites of prohibited substances. On March 24, 2020, AIST started to supply, via contractors, these certified reference materials to testing and analysis laboratories. The reference materials will contribute to higher reliability of doping testing at international sports events, including the Olympic and Paralympic Games.