Narsingh doping: Banned substance can be detected months later

Methandienone, the banned substance found in the dope test of wrestler Narsingh Yadav who has subsequently been suspended for the Rio Olympics, can stay in the body for long and be detected in urine up to eight weeks after the last use, health experts said on Wednesday.

"Methandienone can stay in body for a long time and can be detected in urine for up to six to eight weeks," said R.K. Singal, Director and Coordinator of Medical and Allied Services, BLK Super Specialty Hospital, in New Delhi.

On Sunday, the National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA) confirmed that Narsingh's 'B' sample also tested positive for a banned substance.

Following the dope test, Narsingh, who was picked ahead of two-time Olympic medallist Sushil Kumar, was handed a provisional suspension.

Yadav has alleged that his food was spiked. According to reports, the intruder who spiked the food has been identified.

"Although the effects of Methandienone fades away slowly, they may persist for six-12 weeks," Atul Jain, Senior Consultant Orthopaedic, Hip and Acetabulam, Jaypee Hospital in Noida, told IANS.

Methandienone is an anabolic steroid popular among body builders.

"Anabolic androgenic steroids are chemically modified versions or derivatives of the naturally-occurring male sex hormone testosterone," Singal told IANS.

"Anabolic steroids help increase protein mass, especially skeletal muscles," Jain added.

According to Singal, Methandienone has the potential to boost muscle production in a short time.

"It is an extremely potent muscle-building steroid that has both anabolic and androgenic effects on a person. The anabolic nature increases nitrogen retention and, in turn, muscle production. Its ability to increase nitrogen reaction improves a person's feeling of well-being and protein manufacture in the body," Singal explained.

"The steroid also helps a person's body to adjust quickly to increased workloads which reduces fatigue," the doctor added.

--IANS

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