A New Lab Method Can Detect 44 Banned Peptides in Urine in Just 14 Minutes

The researchers combined solid-phase extraction (SPE) sample preparation with LC-HRMS detection using parallel reaction monitoring (PRM) mode. They validated the method according to WADA criteria, testing selectivity, reliability, limits of detection and identification, recovery rates, extraction stability, and carryover. The method was then applied to over 5,000 real urine samples from doping control to verify real-world performance.

Peptide doping — using substances like growth hormone-releasing peptides, GnRH analogs, and other small peptides to enhance performance — is a growing concern in competitive sports. Detecting these substances in urine is technically challenging because peptides are present at very low concentrations and can be masked by the complex biological matrix. This validated method gives anti-doping labs a fast, reliable tool to catch peptide use, covering 44 prohibited substances in a single 14-minute run.

As peptide drugs become more accessible — through online vendors, compounding pharmacies, and research chemical suppliers — the challenge of detecting their misuse in sports grows. Methods like this one give anti-doping authorities the analytical firepower to keep up with the expanding list of prohibited peptides, from growth hormone secretagogues to GnRH analogs and beyond.

The method focuses on small peptides and may not cover larger peptide hormones that require different analytical approaches. Detection limits, while meeting WADA requirements, vary across the 44 analytes. The study does not address how microdosing strategies or timing of peptide use might affect detection windows. Real-world applicability may also depend on individual lab equipment and operator expertise.