Everything below concerns LC-MS/MS. We keep the language plain, cite what the science says, and separate well-supported claims from open questions.
Last reviewed on 2026-02-18. Where a claim depends on a specific study, the study is described rather than over-claimed.
Anti-doping laboratories detect GW501516 and its metabolites using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. Urine is the most common matrix, though blood and dried blood spots may also be used in some programs. Detection depends on factors such as dose, timing, metabolism, and the sensitivity of the assay. Published methods describe limits of detection in the low nanogram per milliliter range for related compounds. Exact detection windows are not fixed for all situations and remain an area of ongoing study.
Products sold as cardarine have been found to contain incorrect compounds, variable amounts, or no active ingredient at all. Independent testing is required to verify identity and purity. Common analytical approaches include high-performance liquid chromatography, mass spectrometry, and nuclear magnetic resonance for structural confirmation. These methods can distinguish GW501516 from related PPAR agonists and from unrelated steroids. For regulators and researchers, such verification is central to interpreting both biological results and adverse event reports.
Cardarine is explicitly prohibited by the World Anti-Doping Agency under the class of PPARδ agonists. Its presence in urine or blood samples can be detected using mass spectrometry-based methods, often liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. Athletes who test positive may face sanctions, including bans from competition. The compound is also regulated as a prescription-only or unapproved drug in many countries. Enforcement varies by jurisdiction, and some regions treat it as a controlled substance. Online sales may occur despite these restrictions, creating quality and legal risks.
Laboratory detection of cardarine typically involves sample preparation followed by chromatographic separation and mass spectrometric identification. Urine is the most common matrix for anti-doping tests, though blood and hair have also been explored. Methods can target the parent compound or its metabolites, depending on the expected window of detection. Reference standards are required for accurate quantification. Matrix effects and dilution can influence results, so laboratories use internal standards and validation protocols. The exact detection window varies with dose, route, and individual metabolism.
A common misconception is that cardarine has been proven safe for human use. In reality, human clinical data are limited, and long-term animal studies have raised concerns about cancer. Another misconception is that it is a supplement or vitamin-like compound. It is a synthetic research chemical with no approved medical indication. Scientific discussion often focuses on its mechanism and detection rather than therapeutic use. Regulatory and anti-doping literature treats it primarily as a prohibited substance.
| Property | Value | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Regulatory status | Prohibited in sport | Listed by WADA as a metabolic modulator. |
| Approved medical use | None in major jurisdictions | Not a registered drug. |
| Common test matrix | Urine | Most anti-doping samples use urine. |
| Typical detection method | LC-MS/MS | Detects parent compound and metabolites. |
| Reference standard storage | -20 °C, desiccated | Typical for analytical standards. |
Cardarine is a common name for GW501516, a synthetic compound first described in the 1990s as a selective agonist of the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor delta. It was studied in preclinical models for metabolic and cardiovascular conditions, but it has not been approved as a medicine in the United States, Europe, or other major jurisdictions. Retail products labeled as cardarine are generally research chemicals or supplements, not pharmaceutical formulations. Because human safety and efficacy data remain limited, regulatory agencies treat it as an unapproved substance rather than a therapeutic product.
Sporting authorities added GW501516 to prohibited lists after it appeared in athlete samples and online markets. The World Anti-Doping Agency classifies it as a hormone and metabolic modulator, and its use can lead to an anti-doping rule violation. Some early laboratory work suggested effects on fatty acid oxidation and endurance-related metabolism in animals, but those findings do not establish safe or effective use in people. Reports of adverse events in humans are scarce and often anecdotal, which complicates risk assessment.
Legal status varies by country. In some places, cardarine is controlled under medicines or psychoactive substances laws; in others, it may be sold with minimal oversight as a research chemical. Customs agencies have intercepted shipments, and several national health agencies have issued warnings about products marketed for bodybuilding or performance enhancement. The lack of a standardized pharmaceutical supply means identity, purity, and contamination levels can differ widely between samples. These factors make cardarine a regulatory and public health concern rather than a conventional prescription drug.
Regulatory treatment varies, but cardarine is not approved as a medicine. Sports authorities list GW501516 as a prohibited substance, and it is banned at all times under the World Anti-Doping Agency code. Many countries restrict sales for human consumption, while online vendors market it as a research chemical. Such products may lack purity data, and their actual contents can differ from the label. Purchasing or possessing cardarine may carry legal consequences depending on jurisdiction. The compound is not a dietary supplement ingredient in regulated markets.
Clinical development stopped after rodent studies showed tumors at multiple sites. Whether those findings predict human cancer risk remains an open question, but they led sponsors to discontinue programs. Human safety data are limited to small, short-term studies that were not designed to assess cancer risk. Reported effects in those studies included changes in blood lipids, but the evidence is insufficient for medical use. Long-term consequences of nonmedical use are not well characterized. Questions about dose, duration, and individual susceptibility remain unresolved.
== Storage condition == Unlike wine, whose character may change in taste over time and storage conditions, tequila does not change much once bottled, even without ideal storage conditions, much like most other distilled spirits such as whiskey, rum, or vodka. The quality characteristics (flavor, aroma, color, etc.) of a tequila are primarily determined during its aging in wood barrels. To maintain the utmost quality though, some conditions should be met: a constant and moderate temperature (60 to 65 °F), protection from direct sunlight, and maintenance of the integrity of the seal of the bottle. Improper storage conditions will have more effect on the taste of aged tequila rather than the un-aged version, due to tannins and other compounds introduced into the spirit from the aging barrel. For instance, if stored in improper conditions, the dark and more complex flavors of the añejo tequila are more likely to be tainted than the blanco or the silver tequila. Once the bottle is opened, the tequila will be subject to oxidation that will continue to happen even if no more oxygen is introduced. In addition, if the bottle has more room for air, the process of oxidation occurs faster on the liquor remaining inside the bottle. Therefore, it may be the best to consume the tequila within one or two years after opening. For the most part, the change in quality of tequila is due to extreme conditions of improper storage, not due to oxidation.
== Tandem MS scan == This scan uses reverse-geometry (BE-type) instruments. These instruments use a front-end magnetic sector that allows for exclusive mass selection of the precursor ion. The fragmentation region is in-between the two analyzers. The electric sector scan gives the product-ion spectrum. MIKES can also be used for direct measurement of kinetic-energy release values.
=== Boiling points === Carboxylic acids tend to have higher boiling points than water, because of their greater surface areas and their tendency to form stabilized dimers through hydrogen bonds. For boiling to occur, either the dimer bonds must be broken or the entire dimer arrangement must be vaporized, increasing the enthalpy of vaporization requirements significantly.
Sources: en.wikipedia.org
W.E.S. Turner; F. Winks (1926). Journal of the Society of Glass Technology. 102. {{cite journal}}: Missing or empty |title= (help) F. Janowski; W. Heyer (1982). Poröse Gläser – Herstellung, Eigenschaften und Anwendungen. VEB Deutscher Verlag für Grundstoffindustrie, Leipzig. F. Friedel (2001). Diplomarbeit, Halle. {{cite book}}: Missing or empty |title= (help) F. Janowski (1993). Maschinenmarkt. 99: 28–33. {{cite journal}}: Missing or empty |title= (help) O.S. Moltschanowa (1957). Glas und Keramik. 14: 5–7. {{cite journal}}: Missing or empty |title= (help) F. Wolf; W. Heyer (1968). "Modifizierte poröse gläser als träger in der gaschromatographie". J. Chromatogr. 35: 489–496. doi:10.1016/s0021-9673(01)82414-6. Schuller GmbH (1999). "Life Sciences – Mehr als nur poröse Gläser (Anwenderbericht)". LABO9: 26–28. SCHOTT Information. 53. 1990. {{cite journal}}: Missing or empty |title= (help) M. Hermann (VitraBio GmbH) (2007). "Verfahren zur Herstellung eines porösen Glases und Glaspulvers und Glaswerkstoff zum Ausführen des Verfahrens". WO 098778. {{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help) P. W. McMillan; C. E. Matthews (1976). "Microporous glasses for reverse osmosis". J. Mater. Sci. 11 (7): 1187–1199. Bibcode:1976JMatS..11.1187M. doi:10.1007/bf00545135. S2CID 137379816. F. Janowski; A. Sophianos; F. Wolf (1979). "The role of acidity of MoO3−SiO2 and WO3−SiO2 catalysts". React. Kinet. Catal. Lett. 12 (2): 443. doi:10.1007/BF02071904. S2CID 102283765. G.R. Gavalas; C.E. Megiris; S.W. Nam (1989). "Deposition of H2-permselective SiO2 films". Chem. Eng. Sci.
== Reaction classification == Representative enzymes will be mentioned for each class. Radical SAM enzymes and their mechanisms known before 2008 are summarized by Frey et al. Since 2015, additional review articles on radical SAM enzymes are available, including:
=== DEAE-D === DEAE-Dextran (DEAE-D) is a positively charged dextran derivative that can be used for vaccine production, gene therapy, protein stabilization, dyslipidemia prevention, flocculating agents, and many other applications. DEAE-D is also used for transfecting animal cells with foreign DNA. It is added to solution containing DNA meant for transfection. It binds and interacts with negatively charged DNA molecules and via an unknown mechanism brings about the uptake of nucleic acids by the cell. This procedure is highly suited for transient transfection used for various molecular biology studies.
Sources: en.wikipedia.org
Legal status varies by country, but cardarine is not approved as a medicine in major jurisdictions. It is often sold as a research chemical, a category that may not be lawful for human use. Buyers should check local laws and product labels carefully.
Anti-doping laboratories use LC-MS/MS to detect GW501516 and its metabolites, usually in urine. The method can identify the parent compound at low concentrations. Detection windows vary with dose and individual factors.
No, cardarine has no approved medical uses in major jurisdictions. Early research explored metabolic conditions, but those programs were discontinued. It is not a registered treatment for any disease.
Yes, WADA prohibits cardarine as a PPARδ agonist. It appears on the prohibited list and can be detected in urine or blood. Athletes using it risk sanctions.