The DOI matches its Crossref record; 21 of the 21 references it cites were found in a registry or an index.
Detection of physiological concentrations of cortisol and cortisone in human hair
Abstract
Objective Since the 1960s, glucocorticoids are used by athletes to improve their performances. Their use is restricted in sports. Hair can document chronic abuse and can be therefore a complementary matrix for doping control. We have developed a new extraction, purification, and separation technique using liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry for the identification and quantification of two endogenous glucocorticoids: cortisol and cortisone.Methods Qualitative and quantitative investigations were achieved with 44 hair samples (17 males, 27 females; age ranging from 2 to 90 years). Hair strands were washed in methylene chloride, the first two centimeters of the strand were cut and pulverized in a ball mill. The powdered hair was incubated in 2 mL Soerensen buffer, pH 7.6, for 16 h at 40 degrees C, in the presence of cortisol-d3 as an internal standard. Purification of the incubation medium was achieved on SPE C18 Isolute extraction columns followed by an alkaline liquid-liquid extraction with diethylether. The eluate was evaporated to dryness and resuspended in 25 microL of acetonitrile/ammonium formiate (1:1,v/v). The chromatography was operated on a LC Packings Superba Nucleosil C18 column using a linear gradient of acetonitrile from 30% to 70% in 10 min. The detector was a Perkin Elmer Sciex API 100 mass spectrometer. The detector's response was linear for cortisol and cortisone concentrations ranging from 1 to 500 pg/mg. Extraction recovery at 50 pg/mg was 74% for cortisol and 32% for cortisone. Repeatability (CV values n = 8) at 7 pg/mg cortisol and at 50 pg/mg cortisone were 11% in both cases. Limit of detection and limit of quantification were 1 and 5 pg/mg, for both compounds, respectively.Results Cortisol concentrations in hair ranged from 5 to 91 pg/mg (mean 18 pg/mg). Cortisone concentrations in hair ranged from 12 to 163 pg/mg (mean 70 pg/mg). No influence of hair colour could be found. Influence of sex on cortisone concentrations seems possible but could not be statistically demonstrated. Finally, cortisone concentrations in hair are significantly higher before the age of 20. Incorporation of cortisol and cortisone in hair could follow a passive diffusion through sweat after conversion of part of cortisol to cortisone by Type 2 11-beta-Hydroxysteroid-dehydrogenase in sweat glands. This issue was documented by these analyses.
Overview
Integrity signals
Registry
Cites
Statistics
Verification
Claims the paper makes
Claims other papers make about this one
Each is checked against this paper’s own text: does it say what the citing paper says it does?
In the citing paper
“In comparison, the cortisol concentration in the blood is generally 1.24 × 10 -4 to 4.0 × 10 -4 mM 88 .”
From A review of sampling, energy supply and intelligent monitoring for long-term sweat sensors (2022) · cites this paper as [88]
Citations
Cites
Seckl, J. R., & Walker, B. R. (2001) · Endocrinology · doi:10.1210/endo.142.4.8114 · Cited by 741
Potential problems with the interpretation of hair analysis results
Wennig, R. (2000) · Forensic Science International · doi:10.1016/s0379-0738(99)00146-2 · Cited by 677
Franke, W. W., & Berendonk, B. (1997) · Clinical Chemistry · doi:10.1093/clinchem/43.7.1262 · Cited by 457
Cirimele, V., Kintz, P., Dumestre-Toulet, V., Goullé, J., & Ludes, B. (2000) · Forensic Science International · doi:10.1016/s0379-0738(99)00180-2 · Cited by 190
Self-citationSeckl, J. R. (2001) · Endocrinology · doi:10.1210/en.142.4.1371 · Cited by 172
Localization of 11 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type II in human epithelial tissues.
Smith, R. E., Maguire, J. A., Stein-Oakley, A. N., Sasano, H., Takahashi, K., Fukushima, K., & Krozowski, Z. S. (1996) · The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism · doi:10.1210/jcem.81.9.8784076 · Cited by 146
The type I and type II 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase enzymes
Krozowski, Z. S., Li, K. X. Z., Koyama, K., Smith, R. E., Obeyesekere, V. R., Stein, A., Sasano, H., Coulter, C., Cole, T. J., & Sheppard, K. E. (1999) · The Journal of Steroid Biochemistry and Molecular Biology · doi:10.1016/s0960-0760(99)00074-6 · Cited by 130
Codeine Concentration in Hair after Oral Administration Is Dependent on Melanin Content
Kronstrand, R., Förstberg-Peterson, S., Kågedal, B., Ahlner, J., & Larson, G. (1999) · Clinical Chemistry · doi:10.1093/clinchem/45.9.1485 · Cited by 128
Compared interest between hair analysis and urinalysis in doping controls
Gaillard, Y., Vayssette, F., & Pépin, G. (2000) · Forensic Science International · doi:10.1016/s0379-0738(99)00179-6 · Cited by 102
Bévalot, F., Gaillard, Y., Lhermitte, M., & Pépin, G. (2000) · Journal of Chromatography B Biomedical Sciences and Applications · doi:10.1016/s0378-4347(00)00085-2 · Cited by 87
Flagged first, then by citations
Research works printed but not linked: 1
- Decret No. 2001-35 du 11 janvier 2001 relatif aux examens et prélèvements autorisés pour la lutte contre le dopage: Journal Officiel de la République Française.
Cited by
Sorted by citations
Items 301–348 of 348
Obesity and Metabolic Syndrome: A Phenotype of Mild Long-Term Hypercortisolism?
Wester, V. L., & van Rossum, E. F. C. (2016) · Springer eBooks · doi:10.1007/978-3-319-45950-9_15 · Cited by 2
Ochi, G., Ohara, N., & Kameo, H. (2025) · bioRxiv (Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory) · doi:10.1101/2025.04.15.649015 · Cited by 2
Estimation of Hair Cortisol Levels as a Biomarker of Chronic Stress in Psoriasis: A Pilot Study
Budamakuntla, L., Loganathan, E., Ramesh, H., Karagaiah, P., Somashekhar, S., & Venkatarayaraju, S. K. (2023) · Clinical Dermatology Review · doi:10.4103/cdr.cdr_27_22 · Cited by 1
Hair cortisol levels in cats before and during their first month at a homeless animal shelter.
Wojtaś, J., Karpiński, M., Czyżowski, P., Garbiec, A., KALISZYK, K., KLIMAS, A., PUSTUŁA, K., KURPAS, K., PARSZEWSKA, S., STOKŁOSIŃSKA, K., et al. (2023) · Medycyna Weterynaryjna · doi:10.21521/mw.6822 · Cited by 1
Machulsky, N. F., Colla, J., González, D., Fortuna, F., Ibar, C., Jamardo, J., Gagliardi, J., Fabre, B. R., & Berg, G. A. (2025) · Heart and Mind · doi:10.4103/hm.hm-d-24-00099 · Cited by 1
Identification of Cushing's syndrome (CS) and its history from Harvey Cushing to today
Poirier, J., Martel‐Duguech, L., Bourdeau, I., & Lacroix, A. (2026) · Elsevier eBooks · doi:10.1016/b978-0-323-96100-4.00012-0 · Cited by 1
Fortuna, F., Lanno, A., Magrin, D., LOCATELLI, A., González, D., Jacobsen, D., Jamardo, J., Fabre, B. R., Passoni, A., & Bagnati, R. (2026) · Journal of Endocrinological Investigation · doi:10.1007/s40618-026-02933-0 · Cited by 1
Tiwari, A., & Brown, S. (2018) · American Journal of Family Therapy · doi:10.1080/01926187.2018.1461033 · Cited by 1
Norlin, A. (2020) · Linköping University medical dissertations · doi:10.3384/diss.diva-170320 · Cited by 1
de Meirelles, A. G., Moura-Fernandes, M. C., Moreira-Marconi, E., Lemos-Santos, T. R., Silva-Costa, G., De-Carvalho, S. O., Ventura, I. D. C. A., Teixeira-Silva, Y., Paineiras-Domingos, L. L., de Sá-Caputo, D. D. C., et al. (2018) · Trichology and Cosmetology – Open Journal · doi:10.17140/tcoj-3-110 · Cited by 1
Ditzler, B., Evans, J. B., Illing, K., Kaeberlein, M. R., Promislow, D., Brindle, E., Hoffman, J. M., & Creevy, K. E. (2024) · American Journal of Veterinary Research · doi:10.2460/ajvr.23.12.0293 · Cited by 1
Sidote, M. N., Bornkamp, N., Rifas‐Shiman, S. L., Hivert, M., Oken, E., Nichols, A. R., & Zhang, M. (2024) · Pediatric Obesity · doi:10.1111/ijpo.13164 · Cited by 1
Prefrontal Regulatory Mechanisms of Mindfulness and Stress Reduction and Links to Markers of Health
Taren, A. A. (2015) · D-Scholarship@Pitt (University of Pittsburgh) · Cited by 1
Influence of Psychological Stress on Periodontal Diseases
Soares, L. M. S., Pontes, A. E. F., Corrêa, F. D. O. B., & Rabelo, C. C. (2020) · American Research Journal of Dentistry · doi:10.21694/2578-1448.20001 · Cited by 1
Behavior and socioendocrinology of adult male rhesus macaques of Cayo Santiago
Rakhovskaya, M. (2011) · ScholarlyCommons (University of Pennsylvania) · Cited by 1
Perceived Stress, Physiological Stress, and Mental Health in Parents and Children
Whitney, S. (2021) · UWSpace (University of Waterloo) · Cited by 1
Chronic stress and takotsubo syndrome: Constant dropping wears away a stone
Arcari, L., Casagrande, M., & Cacciotti, L. (2024) · International Journal of Cardiology · doi:10.1016/j.ijcard.2024.132389 · Cited by 1
Parasites and Hormones as Non-invasive Bioindicators of Ecophysiology in Carnivores
Bryan, H. M. (2013) · Libraries and Cultural Resources (University of Calgary) · doi:10.5072/prism/27255 · Cited by 1
Einfluss des Alters und Geschlechts auf die hormonelle Stressreaktion
Hollenstein, L., & Stute, P. (2013) · Gynäkologische Endokrinologie · doi:10.1007/s10304-013-0610-2
Ulm, U., Direktor, Ä., & Fegert, J. M. (2012)
Axe corticotrope et dépression: état des lieux et perspectives
Aubry, J., & Gex‐Fabry, M. (2013)
Tiwari, A. (2016) · Digital Archive @ GSU · doi:10.57709/8523312
The Influence of Surgical Stress on Human Scalp Hair Fiber Dimensions
Scott, A. (2015) · Summit (Simon Fraser University)
EFFECTS OF STRESS ON ONSET OF MIDDLE CHILDHOOD AMONG SIDAMA AGROPASTORALISTS
Helfrecht, C. (2016) · Research Exchange (Washington State University)
Tisdale, E. W. (2017) · Journal of International Crisis and Risk Communication Research
Problems of hair analysis in forensic toxicology
Procházka, P. (2006) · Kontakt · doi:10.32725/kont.2006.058
Governo, R. J. M., Alyusuf, D. A., & Gard, P. R. (2019) · International Journal of Community Medicine and Public Health · doi:10.18203/2394-6040.ijcmph20194468
Cavieres, A. D., & Niemeyer, H. M. (2020) · Revista Chilena de Salud Pública · doi:10.5354/0719-5281.2020.57582
Endocrine and Behavioural Plasticity in Vertebrates
Fry, A. L. (2021) · Cronfa (Swansea University) · doi:10.23889/suthesis.56835
Soares, D. R. D., Bastiani, M. F., Schneider, A., Hahn, R. Z., Lizot, L. D. L. F., Perassolo, M. S., Antunes, M. V., & Linden, R. (2021) · Bioanalysis · doi:10.4155/bio-2021-0170
Early stress, cortisol in hair and health among children in different psychosocial environments
Karlén, J. (2014) · Linköping University Electronic Press eBooks · doi:10.3384/diss.diva-111096
Łuczak-Zielkiewicz, I., & Szutowski, M. M. (2013) · Prospects in Pharmaceutical Sciences · doi:10.56782/pps.99
Honour, J. W. (2023) · Elsevier eBooks · doi:10.1016/b978-0-12-818124-9.00005-x
Li, Z., Kong, W., Park, H. Y., Koo, S. J., Bang, M., Park, J. T., Lee, E. M., & An, S. K. (2024) · Stress and Health · doi:10.1002/smi.3401
Zamudio‐Haas, S., de Carvalho, P. G. C., Marr, A., Mocello, A. R., Moscatelli, A., Bassichetto, K. C., Saggese, G. S. R., Prado, P. V., Gerona, R. R. L., Lippman, S. A., et al. (2024) · Brain and Behavior · doi:10.1002/brb3.70156
Extraction and analytical derivatization techniques in GC–MS
Tsikas, D. (2025) · Elsevier eBooks · doi:10.1016/b978-0-443-30096-7.00004-3
Ohara, N., Kameo, H., & Ochi, G. (2026) · Frontiers in Sports and Active Living · doi:10.3389/fspor.2025.1742869
Highly stable bioelectronics based on wrapped SWCNT monolayers via dual click chemistry
Kim, K. H., Seo, S. E., Kim, Y., Kim, H., Song, H. S., Hwang, Y., Lim, B., & Kwon, O. S. (2026) · Biosensors and Bioelectronics · doi:10.1016/j.bios.2026.118670
Guo, H., Xiao, M., Han, J., Li, W., Gao, X., & Chen, H. (2026) · Progress in Neuro-Psychopharmacology and Biological Psychiatry · doi:10.1016/j.pnpbp.2026.111707
Nanoflow UHPLC-MS3 for sensitive detection of cortisol in a single-strand 1-cm human hair segment
Chang, C.-W., Hsu, J., Wu, H.-Y., Chen, Y.-C., Zhuang, M.-N., & Liao, P. (2026) · Microchemical Journal · doi:10.1016/j.microc.2026.118275
Gab-Allah, M. A., Hwang, H., Adelipour, M., Park, K. H., & Kim, J. (2026) · Talanta · doi:10.1016/j.talanta.2026.130464
Fortuna, F., Ocagli, H., Lima, L. S., Suraci, F., González, D., Jamardo, J., Jacobsen, D., Fritzler, A., Ibar, C., Gomez, M. E., et al. (2026) · Psychoneuroendocrinology · doi:10.1016/j.psyneuen.2026.108029
Long-term cortisol exposure and echocardiographic measures of cardiac structure and function
Söderholm, S., Faresjö, Å., Kylhammar, D., Östgren, C. J., Cantù, C., & Iredahl, F. (2026) · Heart · doi:10.1136/heartjnl-2026-328566
Metadata
- Authors
- Raul, J.-S., Cirimele, V., Ludes, B., & Kintz, P.
- Affiliations
- Université de Strasbourg (FR)
- Corresponding author
- Raul, Jean-Sébastien
- Venue
- Clinical Biochemistry
- Publisher
- Elsevier BV
- Published
- 2004-12
- Volume
- 37
- Issue
- 12
- Pages
- 1105-1111
- ISSN
- 0009-9120 (ISSN-L)
- OpenAlex
- W1996199271
- Cited by
- 348
- References
- 21
- Citations by year
- 2026: 11 · 2025: 8 · 2024: 26 · 2023: 25 · 2022: 18 · 2021: 18 · 2020: 30 · 2019: 17 · 2018: 22 · 2017: 20 · 2016: 25 · 2015: 18 · 2014: 15 · 2013: 27 · 2012: 22
- FWCI
- 15.14
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Clinical Biochemistry (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Sociology and Political Science › Doping in Sports
- Life Sciences › Pharmacology, Toxicology and Pharmaceutics › Toxicology › Forensic Toxicology and Drug Analysis
- Life Sciences › Agricultural and Biological Sciences › Animal Science and Zoology › Pharmacological Effects and Assays
- Keywords
- cortisol, cortisone, human hair, endogenous glucocorticoids, hair analysis, doping control, liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry, solid-phase extraction, hair color, sex differences, age differences, detection limit, limit of quantification
- MeSH terms
- Acetonitriles, Adolescent, Adult, Age Factors, Aged, Child, Child, Preschool, Cortisone, Ether, Female, Formates, Hair, Humans, Hydrocortisone, Male, Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry, Methylene Chloride, Middle Aged, Sex Factors, Time Factors
About these checks
Registry, retraction, Cites and statistics results are computed, not judged, with one exception: a printed reference that no index lists is read once by a model before it counts as a citation error. Claims are extracted by a model and kept only when their quote appears verbatim in the text; each cited source is then checked, with a model’s help, for whether it says what the claim relies on. Those verdicts can be wrong — read the claim’s quote and the cited source before relying on one.
Statistics and arithmetic are recomputed, not judged.
Confidence bands are shown only for fields calibrated on our annotated test set. None is calibrated yet, so no band is shown.
What counts as a claim ›How we measure confidence ›How we check this ›
Are you an author, or do you see a problem with this page? Request a review