What Is Clenbuterol?

Clenbuterol is a generic term for a class of drugs. Any substance that can inhibit animal fat production and promote lean meat growth can be referred to as "clenbuterol." The substances that can achieve such functions are mainly a class of drugs called -receptor agonists (also known as -stimulants), of which the more common are clenbuterol hydrochloride, salbutamol, ractopamine ^[1] , salbutamol sulfate , Dopamine hydrochloride, cimaterol, and terbutaline sulfate. ^[2]

It started with treating asthma in the medical field. The proliferation of clenbuterol was because people thought that high-fat food was one of the culprits that caused heart disease. Especially in developed countries, consumers refused to consume fat-rich meat. In this way, animal breeders (operators) and even scientific and technical personnel have to seek certain anabolic substances to achieve animal nutrition redistribution, reduce fat production, and promote protein synthesis to avoid excessive meat fat content. Risk of economic loss. Clenbuterol is the first substance developed in the United States and other developed countries under this background. ^[1]

"Clenbuterol" does not refer to a specific drug, but a generic term for phenethanolamine compounds that promote protein synthesis and inhibit fat deposition. They both belong to the adrenergic receptor (main beta receptor) agonist class, and can be generally classified into three major categories: aniline type, phenol type, and resorcinol type according to their structure. The common "clenbuterol" on the market are mainly clenbuterol hydrochloride, ractopamine and salbutamol. From 2001 to 2002, the Ministry of Agriculture and other national ministries and commissions successively issued the ban on the use of beta agonists as veterinary drugs and feed additives, such as Public Notice 176, Public Notice 193, and Regulation 1519. ^[3]

Clenbuterol hydrochloride is chemically named -[(tert-butylamino) methyl] -4-amino-3,5-dichlorobenzyl alcohol hydrochloride, and its molecular formula is C ₁₂ H ₁₈ CI ₂ N ₂ O · HCI, The molecular weight is 313. 65. It is a white or similar white crystalline powder. It is odorless and bitter. It is soluble in water, ethanol, slightly soluble in acetone or chloroform, insoluble in ether, and stable in chemical properties. It cannot be destroyed by ordinary methods. It is heated to 172 ° C. To break down. Clenbuterol is one of the synthetic -adrenergic receptor stimulants. It is a powerful agonist. It has a strong and long-lasting effect on bronchial smooth muscle. It is mainly used in the treatment of asthma and has asthma effect. Generally 30pg can work on the human body. ^[2]

Taking Clenbuterol as an example, it binds to the -adrenergic receptor to form an agonist receptor complex. The complex activates the G5 protein, and the subunit of the G5 protein subsequently activates adenylyl cyclase. Enzyme-produced cyclic adenylate (cAMP) is an important intracellular messenger molecule. The mechanism by which cyclic adenosine (cAMP) produces an effect is through binding to the regulatory subunit of protein kinase k to release the catalytic subunit of the enzyme, which phosphorylates a series of intracellular proteins. Some of these proteins are enzymes that are activated when phosphorylated. Cyclic adenylate response element binding protein (CREB) is phosphorylated by protein kinase A, binds to the cAMP response element of a gene regulatory site, and activates the transcription of this gene. Phosphorylation enhances the transcriptional activity of CREB, which is also in breastfeeding In animal cells, -adrenergic agonists mediate the transcription of many genes, and the activities of other enzymes are inhibited during phosphorylation. ^[3]

In 2009, the first case of "Clenbuterol" poisoning occurred in Guangzhou. More than 70 people were hospitalized and 63 problematic pigs were detected. There were no critical cases or deaths among all patients. In April 2009, Guangzhou successively seized more than 40 batches of "lean extract" pigs from Hunan, Henan and other places. ^[5]

Clenbuterol is banned from use in all food animals in the "Maximum Residue Limits of Veterinary Drugs in Animal Foods" promulgated by the Chinese Ministry of Agriculture in 2002, but some countries allow clenbuterol to be used in veterinary medicine, but the scope of use is specified And deadlines, it can be seen from Table 1 that Japan has a stricter limit on clenbuterol. ^[5]

(1) Pork containing "lean essence" has darker and brighter flesh, full buttocks on the back, and looser fibers. Pork cut into two or three fingers is relatively soft and cannot be put on record. The fat layer is very thin. ^[2]

Before 2009, the Clenbuterol incidents frequently highlighted loopholes in slaughtering and testing of pigs in China at that time. Raw pork was generally not tested or mainly visually inspected. This method made people have to worry about the food market in China. Raising food hygiene to food safety is a major task for the development of China's food industry. ^[5]

Whether it is Yurun, Shuanghui large meat processing enterprises or unknown restaurants, the existence of lean pork can not be ignored. In order to pursue the interests of farmers, veterinary drug dealers are in troubled waters, the regulatory authorities are not strict, and consumers are not sensitive to the quality of meat, which has led to frequent problems in China's meat market. ^[5]

Farmers and veterinary drug distributors know that it is illegal to add lean meat to feed, but they continue to produce, process and add lean meat, which makes the supervision of lean meat more difficult. Veterinary drugs, pesticides and feed are the foundation and source of food safety. Illegal addition of illegal drugs to feed causes pollution of food sources and endangers the safety of the dining table. Once problems occur, the consequences are unthinkable, and there are corresponding three controls on the "lean essence" incident Road checkpoint. ^[5]

The first checkpoint is the farmers. Farmers need to improve their moral standards and use science and technology instead of relying on additives in feed. Although the so-called "three kilos per day" can bring more profits, it does cause social harm. It is irreparable harm. Moreover, the higher the profit, the more additives are used, resulting in a vicious circle. Driven by benefits, feed manufacturers and operators are willing to sell tirelessly. Farmers are greedy to add and add lean meat. ^[5]

The second checkpoint is for enterprises. When accepting raw meat, enterprises should obtain relevant test results or conduct self-inspection to ensure the safety of raw meat and eliminate meat from unknown sources. Although the inspection before slaughter is time-consuming, it is beneficial to the safety of production products and the reputation of the enterprise. As a food company, it is the responsibility to set an example for the society. ^[5]

The third checkpoint is the country. The "lean extract" incident is only a microcosm of China's food safety problems. Various problems in the entire food market need the state to solve. Since the country has formulated laws, regulations and standards, it must implement them quickly and urge food safety. The enterprise assumes the main responsibility and establishes a good market atmosphere for good faith operation; strengthens the market supervision and sampling and improves the inspection methods; severely cracks down on violations of laws and regulations; notifies problem food batches through multiple channels (that is, becomes public); enhances consumption Food safety awareness. ^[5]

Strengthen supervision and management, and do a good job in preventing and controlling "lean essence" residues. Governments and departments at all levels must attach great importance to the supervision of "lean essence", clarify supervision responsibilities, strengthen supervision and law enforcement, and severely crack down on production, sales and use according to law. Clenbuterol "and other illegal additives. ^[2]

(1) Strengthen the quarantine work of origin and standardize the ear tag for pigs. Strictly do a good job of pig ear immunization and quarantine of origin, standardize the issuance of quarantine certificates, and eliminate and combat illegal acts of forgery and use of fake quarantine certificates and false ear tags. ^[2]

(2) The health supervision department shall further improve the various systems for the circulation of pigs. In addition to the animal quarantine certificate, the pigs circulating on the market shall also have a test certificate for banned drugs (such as "lean essence"). ^[2]

(3) The animal health supervision institutes at all levels conduct regular sampling tests on live slaughtered pigs and local slaughter pigs, and strictly control the sampling and testing of illegal drug residues on pigs and pig products. ^[2]

(4) Strengthen feed supervision and management of various links, improve the supervision system of "lean essence" in the process of breeding, trafficking, slaughter, and circulation; explore the establishment of a long-term mechanism for the supervision of illegal drugs such as lean meat, and continuously improve the "lean meat" The level of special rectification of illegal drugs such as fine drugs. ^[2]