“An anabolic steroid, which facilitates recovery and strengthens mass, increasing protein synthesis and stimulating cells to grow again, not just muscle cells”. Domenico Pellegrini, a pharmacologist at the University of Florence, interviewed by ‘La Repubblica’, explains what Clostebol is, the substance detected in infinitesimal quantities in Jannik Sinner’s urine during two anti-doping tests last March, which resulted in a positive doping test. The world number one was cleared on August 15, with a sentence that can be appealed within 21 days by Wada or Nado Italia.
“Steroids only work if the doses are supramaximal, that is, 10 to 100 times higher than normal doses. In these cases, the quantities found in the organism of those who take them are enormous”, clarifies Pellegrini. On the Sinner case, ‘La Repubblica’ also heard from Simona Pichini, who directs the National Center for Addictions and Doping of the Istituto Superiore di Sanità. “Very high doses would be needed to increase muscle tone and reduce recovery times between races,” he confirms, clarifying that Clostebol was a doping substance used a long time ago, in the 1970s during the GDR era.
“Today, steroids, hormones produced by the testicles, are administered to those who, for health reasons, do not have them or if there are functional problems”. Experts also focus on the passing the ointment to the physiotherapist (Giacomo Naldi, who used it to treat a wound on his finger) to the patient Jannik Sinner: “If, as they say, there was an open wound, the passage is easier, however it can also happen without cuts. It also happens with other preparations, such as eye drops”. But why given the very low quantities detected on Sinner and ascertaining that it was a ointmenthas the anti-doping investigation been triggered anyway? “The anti-doping law does not allow ignorance. If you take something, the responsibility is always yours and once the substance is detected you have to explain why did you hire her” – explains Pichini – for this reason athletes are advised not to buy unknown supplements and to be careful when using drugs”.