New methods of cheating in doping

Sportspeople become more and more sophisticated in usage of steroids. They study new ways to mask their application of banned drugs. Certain sportspersons take time to study specialists’ statements that may help them to hide that they dope. Today a way has been found: sportspersons may mask usage of testosterone with the help of green tea.
Testosterone represents a hormone that is secreted in body naturally. So, it may be difficult for anti-doping agencies to determine that a sportsperson has taken testosterone. T: E ratio testing is usually used by anti-doping organizations. Such tests may demonstrate uncommon ratio of testosterone to epitestosterone in urine. But it doesn’t show difference between testosterone that has been secreted in body naturally and that introduced into body with the help of injections, gels, etc.
 Declan Naughton and his colleagues at Kingston University ( London) have determined that green tea has such substances which are called “catechins”. They are able to inhibit the enzyme UGT2B17. This enzyme promotes attaching glucuronic acid to testosterone. In case UGT2B17 is inhibited, less testosterone glucoronide is excreted in urine.  
Catechins, the compounds which are able to mask intake of testosterone, are contained in green and white tea. Black tea doesn’t have such substances.
Naughton and his colleagues have conducted certain experiments. They confirm that a cup of strong green tea mask usage of testosterone.
Thus, those sportspersons who administer testosterone can decrease amounts of testosterone that are excreted in urine by consumption of green or white tea. Green or white tea is capable to block excretion of testosterone, enhancing circulating levels of this hormone.
The World Anti-Doping Agency was informed about the discovering by the scientists. If this process occurs, it is not worthy to subject sportspersons to urine tests. Blood tests must be performed in order to determine that a person has used testosterone.
Olivier Rabin, the WADA’s specialist, claims that regular checks of blood steroids will be added. Everything will be done by anti-doping agencies in order to prevent fooling of urine tests.