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Substances: Interleukins and Interleukin-3 (IL-3)

Interleukins are proteins secreted by different types of white blood cells to act as intercellular messengers. Interleukins are most well known for their involvement in improving the body's immune function.

Interleukin-3 (IL-3) is just one of 21 different Interleukins. IL-3 plays a role in the growth and differentiation of immature blood cells and in modulating function in mature blood cells.

Various interleukins have been reproduced in laboratories for use as pharmaceutical drugs in the legitimate treatment of a variety of illnesses/diseases such as cancer, leukaemia, HIV and Hodgkin's disease. These treatments attempt to use the body's own defences to fight illness/disease by stimulating cell growth and thus strengthening the immune response.

Some athletes may use recombinant (artificial) IL-3 in an attempt to increase red blood cell (RBC) mass and improve immune function for the purpose of enhancing endurance performance in events where the body is placed under immense physiological stress.

Side effects

The use of recombinant interleukins can induce unintended and unpleasant side effects such as fever, muscle aches, malaise and oedema. If taken in excess recombinant interleukins can be highly toxic.

Side effects caused by increasing RBC levels unnaturally include the blood becoming viscous, causing the heart to work harder to pump the blood. Viscous blood is also more prone to clotting.

These side effects may increase the risk of heart attack, stroke and pulmonary embolism (lung clot). The risk is exacerbated by dehydration, which often occurs during endurance exercise.

Status in Sport

Interleukins and interleukin-3 are prohibited both in and out of competition under the World Anti-Doping Code 2007 Prohibited List (effective from 01/01/07).

 

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