Thanks to the results of a recent research project conducted by the Institute of Biochemistry at the German Sport University Cologne, the Anti-Doping Laboratory in Japan and the Anti-Doping Laboratory in Los Angeles, athletes who use sunscreens containing chlorphenesin can now be protected from unjustified doping allegations. The National Anti Doping Agency of Germany (NADA Germany) and the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) had funded the research project to improve analytics in this field.
Like the stimulant meclofenoxate, which is banned in competitions, the active ingredient "chlorphenisin", which is mainly found in sunscreens, leads to the degradation product 4-chlorophenoxy acetic acid (4-CPA) in the human body. According to the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), 4-CPA is the diagnostic marker in urine for the ingestion of the banned meclofenoxate. The research results now make it possible to distinguish between the non-banned use of chlorphenisin and the banned use of meclofenoxate based on the pattern of other degradation products in findings for 4-CPA.
"Research is essential in the advancement and development of analytical issues. It serves to protect clean athletes, which is why NADA Germany supports various projects every year. These new findings contribute significantly to being able to correctly evaluate analytical results in the interest of clean sport," said Dr. Andrea Gotzmann, Chairperson of NADA Germany's Executive Board.
The publication on the research project can be viewed at the following link: analyticalsciencejournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1002/rcm.9183