Investigation of the Metabolic Fate of Nandrolone’s Prohormone 19-Nor-DHEA.

Code: 242C06DK

Understanding the metabolism of a drug is essential for the development of analytical assays, as it can reveal metabolic markers that can significantly increase the sensitivity of detection and extend detection times. 19-Nordehydroepiandrosterone (19-nor-DHEA) is an unlicensed steroid currently available for online purchase and is a combined derivative of the androgen/anabolic steroid nandrolone (19-nortestosterone) and the androgen prohormone dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), both of which are on the WADA Prohibited List. 19-Nor-DHEA is not on the WADA Prohibited List and its metabolism has never been reported in humans. It can be categorized as a nandrolone prohormone where, according to TD2021NA, the target metabolite to detect its abuse is 19-norandrosterone (19-NA) in its glucuronide conjugate, which is currently monitored by routine analytical methods. However, quantities of 19-nor steroid metabolites are also excreted in the sulphate fraction and their detection may help to improve long-term detection of their misuse. This study aims to elucidate the metabolic fate of 19-nor-DHEA, with a particular interest in obtaining the most abundant metabolites and those that can be excreted over a longer period. The study will focus on the detection, in addition to 19-NA and 19-NE, of metabolites expected from the metabolism of its 19-methyl analogue, DHEA, in both the glucuronide and sulphate fractions. Long-term markers for the 19-methyl counterpart, DHEA, have been reported in the sulphate fraction and their detection and identification on 19-nor-DHEA is the main objective of this study. The characterization of these metabolites is also a critical point of this study.