Charter opens up on Stephen Dank

Shane Charter will detail his dealings with former Essendon sports scientist Stephen Dank during interviews with ASADA next week. Picture: Chris Scott Source: Herald Sun

STEPHEN Dank, Essendon's former sports scientist, ordered a banned peptide in quantities sufficient to treat a team of AFL players, according to a former associate.

Records of Mr Dank's purchasing process reveal he sourced the peptide Thymosin beta 4 from Melbourne biochemist Shane Charter while working for Essendon.

In a text message sent in January 2012, Mr Charter asks: "Which peptides do you need next?"

Mr Dank replies: "Thymosin beta 4, CJC-1295."

The Herald Sun has previously reported that Essendon has been unsure which type of thymosin its players had been given.

Thymosin beta 4 is prohibited for athletes under anti-doping rules.

It has been listed as prohibited from "at least 2011", an Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority spokesman said.

During a meeting with the Herald Sun, Mr Charter produced a text message exchange between him and Mr Dank.

He also produced an email he sent Mr Dank in which he details how to use the substance, commercially known as TB-500, and says it is "for research use only".

Former Essendon sports scientist Stephen Dank.

Mr Charter will detail his dealings with Mr Dank during interviews with ASADA next week.

Thymosin is a peptide that assists muscle regeneration and is commonly used in racehorses.

Mr Charter, a personal trainer who has worked with dozens of AFL players, worked with South Yarra pharmacist Nima Alavi to acquire and prepare supplements for Mr Dank during Mr Dank's time as the Bombers' sports scientist.

The supplements would be made in bulk and Mr Dank would collect them each week.

Mr Charter will tell ASADA that Mr Dank had ordered enough Thymosin beta 4 to treat a squad of 30 players with regular weekly injections.

"It was enough for an entire squad," he said.

It is not known if it was used on athletes.

Essendon is not named in any correspondence about Thymosin beta 4 between Mr Charter and Mr Dank.

Mr Dank also purchased B vitamins through Mr Charter, in the name of club doctor Bruce Reid, as far back as August 2011.

Mr Charter said Mr Dank had later telephoned him for advice about appropriate B vitamin doses for athletes in recovery.

Mr Charter has recently received death threats, his house has been burgled and his car stolen.

Ballarat University's Dr Stephen Brown, who co-wrote a paper about Thymosin beta 4 and sport that was published in February in the authoritative Journal of Sports Science, said the substance was commonly used on racehorses.

"I'm shocked that it would be given to humans, because there's no evidence to show that it's beneficial. So why inject it and, if you do, what are the risks?" he said.

"Who knows what nasty genes it could turn on down the track?"

Thymosin beta 4 is in the early stages of development as a drug that could help regenerate human hearts.

"It's been used in racehorses as something that could improve recovery after injury but, as far as clinical data goes, it's pretty thin on the ground," said Dr Brown, who has a PhD in physiology.

"There isn't enough evidence to support giving it as a drug for a horse."

Essendon said last night it could not comment until the ASADA and AFL investigations had finished.

Mr Dank's lawyer, Greg Stanton, refused to make any comment.

Mr Dank has previously denied any wrongdoing, and says everything he gave players was above board.

carly.crawford@news.com.au

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