IGF-I and GH: Potential use in gene doping

TY - JOUR

T1 - IGF-I and GH: Potential use in gene doping

AU - Harridge, Stephen D. R.

AU - Velloso, Cristiana P.

PY - 2009/8

Y1 - 2009/8

N2 - Gene doping is the term given to the potential misuse of gene therapy for the purposes of enhancing athletic performance. Insulin like growth factor-I (IGF-I), the prime target of growth hormone action, is one candidate gene for improving performance. In recent years a number of transgenic and somatic gene transfer studies on animals have shown that upregulation of IGF-I stimulates muscle growth and improves function. This increase in muscle IGF-I is not reflected in measurable increases in circulating IGF-I. Whilst the responses obtained in the animal studies would appear to give clear benefits for performance, the transfer of such techniques to humans still presents many technical challenges. Further challenges will also be faced by the anti doping authorities in detecting the endogenously produced products of enhanced gene expression. (C) 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

AB - Gene doping is the term given to the potential misuse of gene therapy for the purposes of enhancing athletic performance. Insulin like growth factor-I (IGF-I), the prime target of growth hormone action, is one candidate gene for improving performance. In recent years a number of transgenic and somatic gene transfer studies on animals have shown that upregulation of IGF-I stimulates muscle growth and improves function. This increase in muscle IGF-I is not reflected in measurable increases in circulating IGF-I. Whilst the responses obtained in the animal studies would appear to give clear benefits for performance, the transfer of such techniques to humans still presents many technical challenges. Further challenges will also be faced by the anti doping authorities in detecting the endogenously produced products of enhanced gene expression. (C) 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

U2 - 10.1016/j.ghir.2009.04.016

DO - 10.1016/j.ghir.2009.04.016

M3 - Article

VL - 19

SP - 378

EP - 382

JO - GROWTH HORMONE AND IGF RESEARCH

JF - GROWTH HORMONE AND IGF RESEARCH

IS - 4

ER -