Abstract

The aim of this study was to test the Surface Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy (SERS) method to identify doping in professional male bodybuilders who had used nandrolone, testosterone and dexamethasone.

In this quasi-experimental study, 36 bodybuilder men aged from 20 to 35 years old who had at least three years of professional exercise experience were selected and divided in ergogenic substance users and the control groups. After a one-month period of testosterone, nandrolone and dexamethasone injection, their blood samples were tracked and analyzed in the laboratory using the Surface Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy method with very high accuracy. Independent T-test was used to compare the ergogenic substances levels among training and control groups. Also Raman Spectra were analyzed by using origin pro 2018 software.

Results showed that by using SERS analysis the substances had a significant increase in comparison to the recorded spectrum as the initial improved normal Raman spectrum. Raman spectrum statistically increased the intensity of Raman peaks at the level of (P<0.05). Testosterone, nandrolone and dexamethasone ergogenic substances were identified in details in the blood of male bodybuilders using fine-grained Surface Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy method.

According to the results, Raman spectroscopy is a powerful diagnostic method which detects details and molecules of small materials with a very high accuracy. Along with other methods of identifying materials, the usage of Raman spectroscopy has got great importance and benefits and it is suggested that to identify doping, this method can be used as a method of doping testing in domestic competitions to save costs and time.