Exploring Reference Values for Hair Cortisol: Hair Weight Versus Hair Protein.
Frisch N, Eichler A, Plank AC, Golub Y, Moll G, Kratz O (2020)
Publication Type: Journal article
Publication year: 2020
Journal
Book Volume: 42
Pages Range: 902-908
Journal Issue: 6
DOI: 10.1097/FTD.0000000000000779
Abstract
BACKGROUND: As a marker of cumulative cortisol activity, hair cortisol has received attention in clinical and methodological research. Currently, it is a common practice to relate the hair cortisol concentration (HCC) to hair weight. This article explores the hair protein concentration (HPC) as another possible reference value for HCC. METHODS: For n = 18 hair samples cut from the posterior vertex, the HCC, HPC, and hair sample weight were determined, and the cortisol-to-weight and cortisol-to-protein ratios were calculated. Correlations were analyzed between the HCC, HPC, and hair sample weight as well as between the cortisol-to-weight and cortisol-to-protein ratios. Hair sample weight and HPC were included as independent variables in a stepwise linear regression model to predict HCC. RESULTS: The HCC and HPC did not correlate significantly (r = 0.393, P = 0.106); however, the correlation between HCC and hair sample weight was significant (r = 0.520, P = 0.027). The HPC and hair sample weight (r = 0.605, P = 0.008) as well as the cortisol-to-weight and cortisol-to-protein ratios (r = 0.858, P < 0.000) showed a high correlation. The hair sample weight was the better predictor of the HCC (β = 0.520, P = 0.027) than HPC (β = 0.125, P = 0.657). CONCLUSIONS: The results indicate that the hair sample weight is the more suitable reference value for the HCC. Thus, the standard cortisol-to-weight ratio should be used as the preferred expression for the cumulative cortisol activity measured in the scalp hair. However, calculating the cortisol-to-protein ratio can be considered as an alternative if the hair sample weight is not available.
Authors with CRIS profile
Anna Eichler
Department of Child and Adolescent Mental Health
Anne-Christine Plank
Professur für Experimentelle Biomedizin
Oliver Kratz
Department of Child and Adolescent Mental Health
Involved external institutions
Germany (DE)How to cite
APA:
Frisch, N., Eichler, A., Plank, A.-C., Golub, Y., Moll, G., & Kratz, O. (2020). Exploring Reference Values for Hair Cortisol: Hair Weight Versus Hair Protein. Therapeutic Drug Monitoring, 42(6), 902-908. https://doi.org/10.1097/FTD.0000000000000779
MLA:
Frisch, Nadine, et al. "Exploring Reference Values for Hair Cortisol: Hair Weight Versus Hair Protein." Therapeutic Drug Monitoring 42.6 (2020): 902-908.
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