Chinese Herbal Medicine Significantly Impacts the Haematological Variables of the Athlete Biological Passport

William Chih-Wei Chang, Chih-Yuan Wang, Wan-Yi Liu, Chin-Chuan Tsai, Yu-Tse Wu and Mei-Chich Hsu
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William Chih-Wei Chang: School of Pharmacy, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan
Chih-Yuan Wang: School of Pharmacy, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan
Wan-Yi Liu: School of Pharmacy, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan
Chin-Chuan Tsai: School of Chinese Medicine for Post-Baccalaureate, I-Shou University, Kaohsiung 840, Taiwan
Yu-Tse Wu: School of Pharmacy, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan
Mei-Chich Hsu: Department of Sports Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan

IJERPH, 2021, vol. 18, issue 18, 1-10

Abstract: In the fight against sports doping, the Athlete Biological Passport (ABP) system aims to indirectly unveil the doping incidents by monitoring selected biomarkers; however, several unexplored extrinsic factors may dampen a fair interpretation of ABP profiles. Chinese herbal medicine (CHM) plays a pivotal role in the health care system, and some remedies have a long history of being used to treat anaemia. In this study, we addressed the concerns of whether the CHM administration could yield a measurable effect on altering the ABP haematological variables. Forty-eight healthy volunteers were randomly assigned to receive two-week oral administration of one of the six selected CHM products that are commonly prescribed in Taiwan (eight subjects per group). Their blood variables were determined longitudinally in the phases of baseline, intervention, and recovery over 5 weeks. Blood collection and analyses were carried out in strict compliance with relevant operating guidelines. In the groups receiving Angelicae Sinensis Radix, Astragali Radix, and Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix et Rhizoma, a significant increased reticulocyte percentage and decreased OFF-hr Score were manifested during the intervention, and such effects even sustained for a period of time after withdrawal. All other variables, including haemoglobin and Abnormal Blood Profile Score, did not generate statistical significance. Our results show that the use of CHM may impact the ABP haematological variables. As a consequence, we recommend athletes, particularly those who have been registered in the testing pool, should be aware of taking specific Chinese herbal-based treatment or supplementation, and document any of its usage on the anti-doping forms.

Keywords: traditional Chinese medicine; supplement; sports drug testing; atypical passport finding; World Anti-Doping Agency (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
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