Testing for GW501516 (cardarine) in human hair using LC/MS-MS and confirmation by LC/HRMS.
Level 4 - case-series / case-control
Single-case observational study and analytical method validation
PubMed 32298044 · doi:10.1002/dta.2802
What was done
An analytical method using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC/MS-MS) with high-resolution mass spectrometry (LC/HRMS) confirmation was developed to test for GW501516 (cardarine). Hair samples (20 mg) underwent methanol incubation with ultrasound for 1 hour before analysis of 2 x 2 cm segments from a male user.
What was found
GW501516 was identified in the hair of a single male abuser at concentrations of 32 pg/mg and 22 pg/mg across two 2 cm segments.
Why it matters
This provides the first evidence that GW501516, a prohibited PPAR-delta agonist, incorporates into human hair and can be detected analytically for doping control or forensic investigations.
Limits
The study involves only a single individual (n = 1). The abstract does not provide formal validation metrics (such as limit of detection, precision, or recovery) or data on the timeline and dose-response relationship between drug intake and hair concentrations.
Cited by
- supports Cardarine (GW501516) is on the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) prohibited list.