MRNA Biomarkers in Dried Blood Spots May Improve Detection of Autologous Blood Micro-Transfusions Using an Individualized Approach.

ABSTRACT: Autologous blood transfusions (ABTs) are prohibited by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), yet detecting autologous blood micro-transfusions (ABMTs) remains a challenge. Due to smaller transfused volumes, ABMTs cause attenuated biomarker changes, limiting detection sensitivity within the Athlete Biological Passport (ABP). This study assessed whether mRNA expression of 5-aminolevulinic acid synthase (ALAS2) and carbonic anhydrase 1 (CA1), measured from dried blood spots (DBS), could serve as sensitive biomarkers of ABMT. In a randomized, placebo-controlled design, 47 trained individuals (24 ♀; mean VO₂peak 56 ± 7 mL·min^-1·kg^-1) were allocated to an ABMT group (n = 23; ♀ = 12) or placebo group (n = 24; ♀ = 12). The ABMT group donated 450 mL of blood and rece

SUBMITTER: Andersen AB 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12580161 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature