Analysis of Erythropoietin (EPO) Use in Sports: Benefits and Risks

This report examines the use of erythropoietin (EPO) in sports, focusing on its role in maintaining homeostasis, its physiological and cellular functions, and its clinical applications. The paper explores how EPO enhances performance by increasing red blood cell production and oxygen uptake, leading to improved endurance. However, it also addresses the negative effects of EPO, such as increased blood pressure, thrombotic events, and other health risks. The report discusses the advantages and disadvantages of doping in sports, highlighting the ethical concerns and potential health consequences. It concludes by summarizing the major functions of EPO and its impact on athletes' health and performance. Desklib provides access to similar solved assignments and study resources for students.

Running head: doping in sports 1
Abstract
Doping in sports has been a very common activity that is followed by most athletes all
over the world. Some athletes get away with it while some are caught under the narcotics act.
Doping means the use of external supplements which are not recognized by the government and
are considered to be the violation of rules and regulations because they enhance the performance
in an unjust manner. Doping is followed to gain maximum result which can otherwise not be
attained with the help of regular food and supplements.
Keywords: erythropoietin, EPO, clinical, supplements

doping in sports 2
Introduction
There are different kinds of enzymes produced in the body. Likewise, there are different
kinds of supplements that promote the production of this enzyme through external stimuli. These
enzymes have two sides. One that they can be very useful if consumed in proper amount and if
they are not, they have ill-effects. In this article, the effects of EPO are discussed.
Role of EPO in Maintaining Homeostasis
EPO is the short term for erythropoietin, a hormone produced by the kidney and it is
found in the bones (Heathers, 2012).. Erythropoietin acts as on erythroid progenitor cells present
in the bone marrow. Homeostasis is provided to the healthy individuals through the process
called as a negative feedback system. In this kind of system, the tissue oxygenation controls the
production of erythropoietin and the EPO controls the production of red blood cells (RBC) in the
body (Miskowiak, et al., 2010). EPO is found to have controlled the death of the cell through the
production of more RBC in the later stage of erythroid progenitor cell development.
EPO at the Psychological Level
Depression and bipolar disorder are the major results of lack of neural plasticity and
deficits in the memory. Erythropoietin is the enzyme that can be used to create a revolutionary
medicine that will be consumed in order to cure depression or bipolar disorder (Babitt & Lin,
2012). A single dosage of EPO causes the brain to eliminate the negative emotions processing
and works on the improvement of the cognitive functioning of the brain. EPO works in the same
way as the antidepressants do. This is done by reversing the cognitive functioning of the brain in
bipolar disorder patients the patients undergoing depression (Lippi, Franchini, & Guidi, 2008).

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People who were treated chemically showed a five times greater cognitive improvement.
Improvements shown were about 11%.
Using EPO Clinically
EPO is an enzyme that is used to cure the chronic kidney disease. The clinical use of EPO
in curing the kidney problems started about 198s years ago with research finding that the
hormone successfully corrected anemia in kidneys (Babitt & Lin, 2012). This resulted in many
different positive results in the patient's body. There was more of cognitive functioning, reduced
morbidity, the better functionality of the body organs which ultimately enhanced the quality of
life of the patients. However, higher doses of the enzyme, EPO had resulted to adverse side
effects in patients (Provatopoulou & Ziroyiannis, 2011). The scientists are still researching about
the usefulness and the adverse effects of the drug.
Usage of EPO in Sports
The explanation of Epo in sports involves, maximal oxygen, and endurance performance.
The close relations between the three is that Epo increases the levels of RBC and haematocrit
(Hct) (Heuberger, et al., 2013). An upsurge in Hct could cause an in oxygen uptake, and which in
turn causes endurance in the performance Heuberger2013. EPO is used in the sports by the
athletes in order to increase their strength and hence, This is done by the process called blood
doping (Birzniece, 2015). When the number of RBC increases, the oxygen reaching the body
parts increase which in turn enhances the strength and also, makes sure that the energy is retained
in the body for a long time (Quinn, 2018). Blood doping has been said to be common in sports
such as swimming, running, weightlifting, and other sports such as soccer, cricket, hockey, etc.

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Negative effects of using EPO
The common negative effect of Epo is an increase in blood pressure (BP). Most people
show an increase in BP, but it can always be leveled with antihypertensive treatment. However,
sometimes the BP can rise to an extent of causing hypertensive encephalopathy. A study
conducted by (Andrews, Pyrah, Boren, Tannehill-Gregg, & Lightfoot-Dunn, 2013) showed that
Epo can cause increased hematocrit to an extent where it would become a challenge to control
the BP. Also, this study brought evidence that that rHuEpo can cause an increase in thrombotic
events due to the heightened blood viscosity.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Doping in sports
Advantages
Arguments in support of doping in sports all talk about the increased level of RBC. More
RBC means more supply of oxygen to the body parts, which also translates to enhanced
performance (Jacob, John, Jaison, Jain, & Kakkar, 2012). There also other studies that have
found that doping enhances visual anthropometric (Nacer, 2015). In addition, doping is also said
to improve cognition, increase muscle mass and give overall healthier feelings of well-being.
Disadvantages
The various disadvantages associated with doping in sports liver damages, hypertension,
heart attack, dependencies, blood clots, Stroke, increased levels of cholesterol, acne, hair loss,
enlarged prostates, aggression and mood swings (Andrews, Pyrah, Boren, Tannehill-Gregg, &

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Lightfoot-Dunn, 2013). All these are caused by increase in viscosity of the blood and the
increased level of hormones.
Conclusion
The aim of this paper was to address the role of EPO in the maintenance of homeostasis
in the health of individuals. This paper covered the major functions of EPO and it explained how
EPO function at both physiological and cellular levels. Other issues that this paper addressed
were the clinical use of EPO, it performance enhancement capacity, and ultimately, its negative
effects, its advantages and disadvantages.
References
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(2013). High Hematocrit Resulting from Administration of Erythropoiesis-stimulating
Agents Is Not Fully Predictive of Mortality or Toxicities in Preclinical Species.
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