A modified and cost-effective method for hair cortisol analysis

Lianbin XiangLaboratory of Behavioral Immunology Research, Division of Clinical Immunology and Allergy, Department of Medicine, Center of Biostatistics and Bioinformatics, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, MS, USACorrespondence[email protected]

Imran SunesaraLaboratory of Behavioral Immunology Research, Division of Clinical Immunology and Allergy, Department of Medicine, Center of Biostatistics and Bioinformatics, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, MS, USA

Kristina E. RehmLaboratory of Behavioral Immunology Research, Division of Clinical Immunology and Allergy, Department of Medicine, Center of Biostatistics and Bioinformatics, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, MS, USA

Gailen D. Marshall JrLaboratory of Behavioral Immunology Research, Division of Clinical Immunology and Allergy, Department of Medicine, Center of Biostatistics and Bioinformatics, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, MS, USA

Abstract

Hair cortisol may hold potential as a biomarker for assessment of chronic psychological stress. We report a modified and cost-effective method to prepare hair samples for cortisol assay. Hair samples were ground using an inexpensive ball grinder – ULTRA-TURRAX tube drive. Cortisol was extracted from the powder under various defined conditions. The data showed that the optimal conditions for this method include cortisol extraction at room temperature and evaporation using a stream of room air. These findings should allow more widespread research using economical technology to validate the utility of hair cortisol as a biomarker for assessing chronic stress status.

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A modified and cost-effective method for hair cortisol analysis

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A modified and cost-effective method for hair cortisol analysis

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