Fully automated dried blood spot sample preparation enables the detection of lower molecular mass peptide and non-peptide doping agents by means of LC-HRMS.

Lange T, Thomas A, Walpurgis K, Thevis M

Analytical and bioanalytical chemistry16 Apr 2020Cited by 42 (Europe PMC)

PMID32300840PMCIDPMC7220872DOI10.1007/s00216-020-02634-4PepBankPUB-32300840

Summary

The added value of dried blood spot (DBS) samples complementing the information obtained from commonly routine doping control matrices is continuously increasing in sports drug testing. In this project, a robotic-assisted non-destructive hematocrit measurement from dried blood spots by near-infrared spectroscopy followed by a fully automated sample preparation including strong cation exchange solid-phase extraction and evaporation enabled the detection of 46 lower molecular mass (< 2 kDa) peptide and non-peptide drugs and drug candidates by means of LC-HRMS. The target analytes included, amongst others, agonists of the gonadotropin-releasing hormone receptor, the ghrelin receptor, the human growth hormone receptor, and the antidiuretic hormone receptor. Furthermore, several glycine derivatives of growth hormone-releasing peptides (GHRPs), arguably designed to undermine current anti-doping testing approaches, were implemented to the presented detection method. The initial testing assay was validated according to the World Anti-Doping Agency guidelines with estimated LODs between 0.5 and 20 ng/mL. As a proof of concept, authentic post-administration specimens containing GHRP-2 and GHRP-6 were successfully analyzed. Furthermore, DBS obtained from a sampling device operating with microneedles for blood collection from the upper arm were analyzed and the matrix was cross-validated for selected parameters. The introduction of the hematocrit measurement method can be of great value for doping analysis as it allows for quantitative DBS applications by managing the well-recognized "hematocrit effect." Graphical abstract.

CC BYText from Europe PMC. Highlighted sentences are the source of results.

Results from this study2

No result from this study comes from a test of the peptide.

Studies that did not test the peptide alone2

In this study, the peptide was a lab tool or a carrier, part of a mix, or the subject of a lab method. These results are not evidence about taking the peptide.

01LabNot a test of GHRP-2 aloneOther designOther
An automated dried blood spot LC-HRMS method detected GHRP‑2 in authentic post-administration specimens.
In plain wordsIn lab tests, an automated dried blood spot method detected GHRP‑2 in real samples taken after use.
Peptide
GHRP-2
Outcome
Not applicableDetection of GHRP-2 in post-administration samples
Study
n: not reported in source
Outcome group
Pharmacokinetics · Pharmacology
Source sentences
Summary
As a proof of concept, authentic post-administration specimens containing GHRP-2 and GHRP-6 were successfully analyzed.
1 context sentence(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
In this project, a robotic-assisted non-destructive hematocrit measurement from dried blood spots by near-infrared spectroscopy followed by a fully automated sample preparation including strong cation exchange solid-phase extraction and evaporation enabled the detection of 46 lower molecular mass (< 2 kDa) peptide and non-peptide drugs and drug candidates by means of LC-HRMS.
In this study, GHRP-2 was a lab tool or a carrier, part of a mix, or the subject of a lab method. This result is not evidence about taking GHRP-2.
Show in the study text Report a problemFND-3230084001
02LabNot a test of GHRP-6 aloneOther designOther
An automated dried blood spot LC-HRMS method detected GHRP‑6 in authentic post-administration specimens.
In plain wordsIn lab tests, an automated dried blood spot method detected GHRP‑6 in real samples taken after use.
Peptide
GHRP-6
Outcome
Not applicableDetection of GHRP-6 in post-administration samples
Study
n: not reported in source
Outcome group
Pharmacokinetics · Pharmacology
Source sentences
Summary
As a proof of concept, authentic post-administration specimens containing GHRP-2 and GHRP-6 were successfully analyzed.
1 context sentence(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
In this project, a robotic-assisted non-destructive hematocrit measurement from dried blood spots by near-infrared spectroscopy followed by a fully automated sample preparation including strong cation exchange solid-phase extraction and evaporation enabled the detection of 46 lower molecular mass (< 2 kDa) peptide and non-peptide drugs and drug candidates by means of LC-HRMS.
In this study, GHRP-6 was a lab tool or a carrier, part of a mix, or the subject of a lab method. This result is not evidence about taking GHRP-6.
Show in the study text Report a problemFND-3230084002

AI wrote and checked these results. AI can make mistakes, so check important results against the source.

Version history

PepBank keeps every version of the data on this study. Status changes from Retraction Watch, Europe PMC and Crossref are listed with their source.

Version 3Current
13 Oct 2026, 21:44 UTC
Study results updated
Version 2
13 Oct 2026, 16:31 UTC
Study data updated · source update from Europe PMC
Version 1
9 Oct 2026, 03:13 UTC
First added · source update from Europe PMC

Subjects

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