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market distribution networks for steroids. The primary sources of supply of anabolic steroids for these networks include importation of the drugs and their diversion from veterinary use. In some instances, it has been reported that steroids and narcotic drugs are being distributed through a common network. Police sources also indicate that current legislative instruments are inadequate to effectively prosecute and deter trafficking in steroids. The scientific literature currently available is ambivalent on the effectiveness of anabolic steroids as performance enhancers in sports. Some experts have chosen to stress the dangerous side effects while remaining

Monitoring of Blood Concentration of Cyciosporin and its Metabolites in Renal and Cardiac Transplant Patients J. C.K. Loo,l K.D. Gallicano, l R. Vanderwall and SL. JindaP 1 Pharmaceutical Chemistry Division, Bureau of Drug Research, Health Protection Branch, Ottawa, Canada 2 Civic Hospital, Ottawa, Canada

Cyclosporin (CYA) blood samples from renal and cardiac allograft patients were analysed with a specific 1251-monoclonal radioimmunoassay (RIA) kit (SP) and by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Good correlations between SP

Drug Safety 5 (Suppl. 1) 1990

silent on the issue of efficacy. Such testimony has not and is not likely to deter current and potential users whose attitudes are moulded by empirical evidence. There is mounting evidence available which suggests that anabolic steroids have certain psychoactive properties causing aggressive behaviour and leading to dependence. These suggest that unidimensional responses to anabolic steroid abuse are not likely to be successful. In addition to comprehensive educational initiatives, some form of supply control may be warranted. These and the general social questions are the subject of the current inquiry on use of drugs and banned substances by Canadian amateur athletes.

versus HPLC values were obtained for both cardiac (r2 = 0.97) and renal (r2 = 0.94) samples over the HPLC concentration range of the samples (40 to 255 ngfml). To examine CYA metabolism in these patients, all samples were further analysed using a nonspecific 1251 kit (NS). The SP: NS ratio is 0.224 [coefficient of variation (CV) 19%] for cardiac and 0.261 (CV 23%) for renal samples, and indicates extensive metabolism in these patients. On the basis of the HPLC and RIA results, a preliminary model for examining CYA in whole blood has been developed and compares the following ratios: HPLC: SP and HPLC : NS or SP : NS. Monitoring of these ratios could help to identify patients with possible different metabolic profiles and, therefore, may make for the safer and more effective use of the drug.