Abstract

BACKGROUND: CERA (Continuous erythropoietin receptor activator) is a PEG (polyethylene glycol) linked erythropoietin preparation, which was designed for treating anemia. With the biological passport program pursued by the World Anti-Doping Agency recent years, an integrated evaluation of all the parameters and variables in both blood and urine specimen post CERA injection could be helpful. OBJECTIVE: Our work presents a comparison of changes in haematology parameters between single injections of CERA and a Chinese produced recombinant erythropoietin. METHOD: 4 volunteers were subcutaneously injected a single dose of Mircera® (150 μg). Another 4 volunteers were treated with Yibiao® at a comparable dosis (10,000 lU). Urine and blood samples were collected pre and post administration. Biological passport parameters were determined immediately after blood samples were collected. Additionally, soluble transferrin receptor, CERA and total erythropoietin were measured in sera. RESULTS: The concentration of both pharmaceuticals peaked and declined as expected, and a significant individual difference was observed for one of the volunteers. Obvious alterations were observed in some of the monitored haematology parameters. DISCUSSION: Differences between the two preparations were observed. By combining with our previous work on urine IEF profiles post CERA injection, the detecting window of CERA could be more specifically described. Verf.-Referat