Uncertain if positive tests relate to cycling
Responding to questions about its recent warning about the use of the substance GW501516, the World Anti Doping Agency WADA has confirmed that cases exist in relation to the substance. However it has declined to give any specifics at this point in time.
“The cases are ongoing,” WADA Communications Director Julie Masse told VeloNation today. “Therefore, as you know, following policy, we cannot comment any further before the conclusion of the proceedings.”
She did not specify if the positive cases related to cycling.
A little over two weeks ago WADA issued a rare warning to all athletes, speaking about severe consequences of using GW501516, which it said was being sold in the black market. Despite being placed on the banned list three years ago, it said that it was being used by some athletes.
“The side effect of this chemical compound is so serious that WADA is taking the rare step of warning “cheats” to ensure that there is complete awareness of the possible health risks to athletes who succumb to the temptation of using GW501516 for performance enhancement,” it stated then.
“GW501516 was a developmental drug that was withdrawn from research by the pharmaceutical company and terminated when serious toxicities were discovered in pre-clinical studies. Clinical approval has not, and will not be given for this substance.”
It is understood that GW501516 has been linked to the spread of tumours.
The substance regulates fat burning, shifting the body’s metabolism to use increasing amounts of fat for energy and increases muscle mass. It is believed to be used by some with another banned substance AICAR, thus netting a synergistic effect increases endurance more than using either substance alone.
Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors drugs – of which GW501516 is one – have been listed as a specific class of substances banned under WADA’s prohibited list for three years.
In 2009 the-then AFLD director Pierre Bordry voiced concerns about the possible use of AICAR or similar substances, saying that he felt several unspecified Tour de France riders were unnaturally thin, yet had not lost muscular strength. It is unclear if he was speculating, or had additional information at the time.