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May AK, Smeeth D, McEwen F, Moghames P, Karam E, Rieder MJ, Elzagallaai AA, van Uum S, Pluess M. Hair hormone data from Syrian refugee children: Perspectives from a two-year longitudinal study. COMPREHENSIVE PSYCHONEUROENDOCRINOLOGY 2024; 18:100231. [PMID: 38645423 PMCID: PMC11026725 DOI: 10.1016/j.cpnec.2024.100231] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2023] [Revised: 03/26/2024] [Accepted: 03/26/2024] [Indexed: 04/23/2024] Open
Abstract
For numerous issues of convenience and acceptability, hair hormone data have been increasingly incorporated in the field of war trauma and forced displacement, allowing retrospective examination of several biological metrics thought to covary with refugees' mental health. As a relatively new research method, however, there remain several complexities and uncertainties surrounding the use of hair hormones, from initial hair sampling to final statistical analysis, many of which are underappreciated in the extant literature, and restrict the potential utility of hair hormones. To promote awareness, we provide a narrative overview of our experiences collecting and analyzing hair hormone data in a large cohort of Syrian refugee children (n = 1594), across two sampling waves spaced 12 months apart. We highlight both the challenges faced, and the promising results obtained thus far, and draw comparisons to other prominent studies in this field. Recommendations are provided to future researchers, with emphasis on longitudinal study designs, thorough collection and reporting of hair-related variables, and careful adherence to current laboratory guidelines and practices.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew K. May
- Department of Psychological Sciences, School of Psychology, University of Surrey, Guildford, UK
| | - Demelza Smeeth
- Biological and Experimental Psychology, School of Biological and Behavioural Sciences, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK
| | - Fiona McEwen
- Biological and Experimental Psychology, School of Biological and Behavioural Sciences, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK
- Department of War Studies, King's College London, London, UK
| | | | - Elie Karam
- Department of Psychiatry and Clinical Psychology, Balamand University, St Georges Hospital University Medical Center, Institute for Development, Research, Advocacy and Applied Care (IDRAAC), Lebanon
| | - Michael J. Rieder
- Physiology and Pharmacology, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Western Ontario, London, ON, Canada
| | - Abdelbaset A. Elzagallaai
- Physiology and Pharmacology, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Western Ontario, London, ON, Canada
| | - Stan van Uum
- Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Western Ontario, London, ON, Canada
| | - Michael Pluess
- Department of Psychological Sciences, School of Psychology, University of Surrey, Guildford, UK
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Grafinger KE, Kassis W, Favre CA, Aksoy D, Gaugler S. Analysing and quantifying chronic stress-associated endogenous steroids in hair samples. Drug Test Anal 2024. [PMID: 38477213 DOI: 10.1002/dta.3678] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2023] [Revised: 02/22/2024] [Accepted: 02/22/2024] [Indexed: 03/14/2024]
Abstract
In previous studies, various steroids have been associated with stress and have therefore been quantified to investigate stress-related questions. Since the main stress-related steroid cortisol follows a circadian rhythm, often hair is analysed to quantify this steroid. Further, hair analysis gives the unique possibility of long-time monitoring by analysing a certain segment of hair, since hair grows on average 1 cm per month. Hair is a difficult matrix due to the complex sample preparation with many steps including washing and grinding, followed by various extraction steps. Additionally, steroids are endogenous and are therefore present in the hair matrix. Hence, no analyte free matrix is available, which is needed for the quantification via external calibrators. To overcome this problem, the so-called surrogate methods can be used, for which a 13 C3 labelled or deuterated reference compound of the steroid of interest is used for quantification. In the present study, a surrogate method was developed and fully validated for the quantitative analysis of seven steroids in human hair. Validation experiments showed that the method is further suitable for semi-quantitative analysis of estradiol. However, it is not suitable for the analysis of androsterone and DHEAS. The method was successfully used to analyse steroids in a comprehensive study of 360 adolescent hair samples, enabling research into stress markers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katharina Elisabeth Grafinger
- Institute of Chemistry and Bioanalytics, University of Applied Sciences and Arts Northwestern Switzerland, Muttenz, Switzerland
| | - Wassilis Kassis
- Institute of Research and Development, School of Education, University of Applied Sciences and Arts Northwestern Switzerland, Windisch, Switzerland
| | - Céline A Favre
- Institute of Research and Development, School of Education, University of Applied Sciences and Arts Northwestern Switzerland, Windisch, Switzerland
| | - Dilan Aksoy
- Institute of Research and Development, School of Education, University of Applied Sciences and Arts Northwestern Switzerland, Windisch, Switzerland
| | - Stefan Gaugler
- Institute of Chemistry and Bioanalytics, University of Applied Sciences and Arts Northwestern Switzerland, Muttenz, Switzerland
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3
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Igboanugo S, O'Connor C, Zitoun OA, Ramezan R, Mielke JG. A systematic review of hair cortisol in healthy adults measured using immunoassays: Methodological considerations and proposed reference values for research. Psychophysiology 2024; 61:e14474. [PMID: 37950380 DOI: 10.1111/psyp.14474] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2022] [Revised: 10/11/2023] [Accepted: 10/11/2023] [Indexed: 11/12/2023]
Abstract
Hair cortisol concentration (HCC) has shown remarkable promise as a stable, non-invasive measure of systemic cortisol; however, despite methodological advances, the value that would typically be seen in healthy adults has not been established. Therefore, we sought to review the relevant literature to determine a reference value for HCC in healthy (i.e., non-clinical) adults. To this end, we conducted a systematic review of the PubMed, Scopus, and CINAHL databases for studies that measured healthy adult HCC using immunoassay methods, given that these are the most widely accessible analytical tools. To be eligible, studies were required to have been published in English, to have provided relevant descriptive statistics (i.e., means and standard deviations), and to have used a healthy adult human sample. We found 17 studies that met our inclusion criteria; the reports involved 1348 participants with a mean age of about 38 years. Since we identified a large amount of between-study heterogeneity, we completed a random-effect meta-regression analysis and found that test kit vendor was the only significant variable of the model. As a result, when using methodologies from traditional finite mixture distributions to determine reference values for mean and elevated HCC in individual healthy adults, we calculated these estimates for each of the major test kit vendors. Future work will need to determine whether our estimated reference values need to be modified, and these efforts will be greatly assisted by studies that account for potential moderating factors, such as age, sex, and ethnicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Somkene Igboanugo
- School of Public Health Sciences, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Ontario, Canada
| | - Claire O'Connor
- School of Public Health Sciences, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Ontario, Canada
| | - Osama A Zitoun
- School of Public Health Sciences, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Ontario, Canada
| | - Reza Ramezan
- Department of Statistics and Actuarial Science, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Ontario, Canada
| | - John G Mielke
- School of Public Health Sciences, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Ontario, Canada
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Gomez-Gomez A, Martin BMS, Haro N, Pozo OJ. Determination of well-being-related markers in nails by liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry. ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY 2023; 267:115586. [PMID: 37897979 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2023.115586] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2023] [Revised: 09/27/2023] [Accepted: 10/11/2023] [Indexed: 10/30/2023]
Abstract
Well-being is a multifactorial positive state that is highly influenced by some endogenous molecules that control happiness and euphoric feelings. These molecules, e.g., neurotransmitters, hormones and their derivatives, play a crucial role in metabolism and may be referred to as "well-being-related markers". The deregulation of well-being-related markers can lead to organism malfunctions and life-threatening states. In this research, we aimed to evaluate the potential of nails for the chronic production of several well-being-related markers. For this purpose, we developed an LCMS /MS-based method for the determination of 10 well-being-related markers, including melatonin, serotonin, cortisol, kynurenine and several precursors and metabolites. The method was optimized regarding different analytical steps: required sample amount, extraction time, number of required extractions, preconcentration, injection volume and MS conditions. Method validation was performed by two different approaches: (i) using surrogate nail matrix and (ii) using authentic nail samples by standard additions. The method was found to be linear in the expected endogenous range and sensitive enough to determine the low endogenous concentration levels in nails. Accuracy and precision were appropriate in both validation approaches. As proof of concept, the method was used (i) to correlate fingernail and toenail levels for all metabolites in 22 volunteers, (ii) to establish the endogenous concentration range of all metabolites in females (n = 50) and males (n = 34) and (iii) to correlate the metabolite levels with age. For some metabolites, the calculated ranges have been reported for the first time. In summary, the present strategy to evaluate well-being-related markers in nails may be a useful tool for the evaluation of the production of these important compounds with high potential for a wide range of clinical purposes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alex Gomez-Gomez
- Applied Metabolomics Research Group, Hospital del Mar Research Institute, Doctor Aiguader 88, 08003 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Blanca Montero-San Martin
- Laboratory Medicine, Arnau de Vilanova University Hospital, Alcalde Rovira Roure, 80, 25198 Lleida, Spain
| | - Noemí Haro
- Applied Metabolomics Research Group, Hospital del Mar Research Institute, Doctor Aiguader 88, 08003 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Oscar J Pozo
- Applied Metabolomics Research Group, Hospital del Mar Research Institute, Doctor Aiguader 88, 08003 Barcelona, Spain.
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Johnson-Ferguson L, Shanahan L, Bechtiger L, Steinhoff A, Zimmermann J, Baumgartner MR, Binz TM, Eisner M, Ribeaud D, Quednow BB. Associations of psychoactive substances and steroid hormones in hair: Findings relevant to stress research from a large cohort of young adults. Psychoneuroendocrinology 2023; 157:106369. [PMID: 37639800 DOI: 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2023.106369] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2023] [Revised: 07/03/2023] [Accepted: 08/13/2023] [Indexed: 08/31/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Epidemiological studies increasingly use hair samples to assess people's cumulative exposure to steroid hormones, but how the use of different psychoactive substances may affect steroid hormone levels in hair is, so far, largely unknown. The current study addresses this gap by establishing the substance exposure correlates of cortisol, cortisone, and testosterone in hair, while also accounting for a number of relevant covariates. METHOD Data came from a large urban community-sample of young adults with a high prevalence of substance use (N = 1002, mean age=20.6 years, 50.2% female), who provided 3 cm of hair samples. Liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) quantified cortisol, cortisone, and testosterone, as well as delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA, "Ecstasy"), cocaine, several opioids, and their respective metabolites. Multiple linear regression models with covariates were used to predict steroid hormone levels from substance exposure in a four-step approach: In the full sample, low and high substance hair concentrations (median split) were first tested against no use for each substance individually (step 1) and for all substances together (step 2). Then, within the participants with any substance in hair only, the continuous hair concentration of each substance in pg/mg (step 3) and finally of all substances together, were regressed (step 4). RESULTS Low, high, and continuous levels of THC in hair were robustly associated with higher levels of cortisol (sig. in step 1 low THC: β = 0.29, p = .021; high THC: β = 0.42, p = .001; step 2: low THC: β = 0.27, p = 0.036, and high THC: β = 0.40, p = .004, and step 4: β = 0.12, p = .041). Participants with high MDMA levels had higher levels of cortisone without adjusting for other substances (step 1: β = 0.34, p = .026), but this effect was not significant in the other models. While high THC levels were associated with lower levels of testosterone in step 2 (β = -0.35, p = .018), MDMA concentration was positively related to testosterone concentration with and without adjusting for other substances (step 3: β = 0.24, p = .041; step 4: β = 0.17, 95%, p = .015) in male participants. CONCLUSION The use of psychoactive substances, especially of cannabis and ecstasy, should be considered in studies investigating steroid hormones in hair.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lydia Johnson-Ferguson
- Jacobs Center for Productive Youth Development, University of Zurich, Switzerland; Experimental and Clinical Pharmacopsychology, Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy, and Psychosomatics, Psychiatric University Hospital Zurich, University of Zurich, Switzerland.
| | - Lilly Shanahan
- Jacobs Center for Productive Youth Development, University of Zurich, Switzerland; Department of Psychology, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Laura Bechtiger
- Jacobs Center for Productive Youth Development, University of Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Annekatrin Steinhoff
- University Hospital of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Bern, Bolligenstrasse 111, 3000 Bern, Switzerland
| | - Josua Zimmermann
- Experimental and Clinical Pharmacopsychology, Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy, and Psychosomatics, Psychiatric University Hospital Zurich, University of Zurich, Switzerland; Neuroscience Center Zurich, ETH Zurich and University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Markus R Baumgartner
- Zurich Institute of Legal Medicine, University of Zurich, Switzerland; Center for Forensic Hair Analytics, University of Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Tina M Binz
- University Hospital of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Bern, Bolligenstrasse 111, 3000 Bern, Switzerland
| | - Manuel Eisner
- Jacobs Center for Productive Youth Development, University of Zurich, Switzerland; Institute of Criminology, University of Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Denis Ribeaud
- Jacobs Center for Productive Youth Development, University of Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Boris B Quednow
- Jacobs Center for Productive Youth Development, University of Zurich, Switzerland; Experimental and Clinical Pharmacopsychology, Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy, and Psychosomatics, Psychiatric University Hospital Zurich, University of Zurich, Switzerland; Neuroscience Center Zurich, ETH Zurich and University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
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6
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Preinbergs JK, Sundström-Poromaa I, Theodorsson E, Ström JO, Ingberg E. Effect of cosmetic hair treatment and natural hair colour on hair testosterone concentrations. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0291812. [PMID: 37819888 PMCID: PMC10566713 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0291812] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2023] [Accepted: 09/05/2023] [Indexed: 10/13/2023] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE Testosterone analysis in hair allows for retrospective evaluation of endogenous testosterone concentrations, but studies devoted to investigating confounders in hair testosterone analysis have hitherto been scarce. The current study examined the stability of testosterone concentrations between two hair samples collected three months apart and investigated two potential confounding factors: natural hair colour and cosmetic hair treatments. METHODS Testosterone was analysed with an in-house radioimmunoassay with a limit of detection adequate for the purpose. RESULTS The testosterone concentrations from the two samplings, at baseline and three months later, had an intra-individual correlation of moderate strength (rho = 0.378, p<0.001, n = 146). Hair treatment, such as colouring or bleaching, seemed to increase testosterone concentrations (p = 0.051, n = 191, and in a paired analysis in a subset of the cohort p = 0.005, n = 24), while no effect of natural colour in untreated hair (p = 0.133) could be detected. CONCLUSION The current results suggest that cosmetic hair treatments need to be considered in hair testosterone analyses and demonstrate the utility of a radioimmunoassay to reliably measure testosterone concentrations in small hair samples in women.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia K. Preinbergs
- Division of Clinical Chemistry and Pharmacology, Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
| | - Inger Sundström-Poromaa
- Department of Women’s and Children’s Health, Faculty of Medicine, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Elvar Theodorsson
- Division of Clinical Chemistry and Pharmacology, Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
| | - Jakob O. Ström
- Division of Clinical Chemistry and Pharmacology, Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
- Department of Neurology, Faculty of Medicine and Health, Örebro University, Örebro, Sweden
| | - Edvin Ingberg
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Faculty of Medicine and Health, Örebro University, Örebro, Sweden
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Preinbergs JK, Ström JO, Theodorsson E, Ingberg E. Segmental hair analysis as a retrospective testosterone diary: possibilities and pitfalls. Sci Rep 2023; 13:16015. [PMID: 37749110 PMCID: PMC10519998 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-41672-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2023] [Accepted: 08/30/2023] [Indexed: 09/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Testosterone is thought to be incorporated in growing hair strands so that specific hair segments reflect average free hormone concentrations from the corresponding time period. However, the exact mechanisms of hormone integration in scalp hair have not yet been established and it is not known how testosterone is stored in the hair segments over time. The aim of this study was to investigate the stability of testosterone concentrations in hair as it grows and to determine if segmental hair analysis can be used as a retrospective testosterone diary. Thirty men and 40 women provided two hair samples and 16 saliva samples during a period of three months. Hair growth between the two samplings was measured. Hair samples were cut into 10 mm segments resulting in three segments from the first sampling and six segments from the second sampling. Hair samples were pulverised and extracted with methanol. Hair testosterone concentrations were analysed using an in-house radioimmunoassay. Salivary testosterone was analysed using a commercial enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (Demeditec). The results demonstrated that there is a degree of segmental hormone conservation over time (rho = 0.405-0.461, p < 0.001, n = 66-67), but also highlighted three potential confounders. Firstly, testosterone concentrations were higher in distal hair segments (mean concentration ratio most distal by most scalp-near was 1.55, SD 0.70), which may be due to continuous hormone integration from sebum and changes in hair matrix composition. Secondly, more frequent hair washing stunted the increase in testosterone concentrations in distal segments (rho = -0.404, p = < 0.001, n = 66). And lastly, intra- and inter- individual variability in hair growth rate influenced the temporal resolution along the hair, although mean growth rate was indeed 30.0 mm for three months. In a multiple regression model the biological sex, natural hair colour, and relationship status were significant explanatory variables to hair testosterone concentrations. The current results indicate that repeated hair sampling near the hair roots during a study may be preferable to analysing concentration changes between proximal and distal segments within the same hair sample. Also, hair testosterone analysis needs to be adjusted for sex and the natural hair colour.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia K Preinbergs
- Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, Division of Clinical Chemistry and Pharmacology, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden.
| | - Jakob O Ström
- Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, Division of Clinical Chemistry and Pharmacology, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
- Department of Neurology, Faculty of Medicine and Health, Örebro University, Örebro, Sweden
| | - Elvar Theodorsson
- Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, Division of Clinical Chemistry and Pharmacology, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
| | - Edvin Ingberg
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Faculty of Medicine and Health, Örebro University, Örebro, Sweden
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Odoardi S, Mestria S, Biosa G, Cittadini F, Senati M, Strano Rossi S. Hair analysis as a powerful tool for the identification of anabolic androgenic steroids and other performance and image enhancing drugs in a subject with tissues damages. Drug Test Anal 2023; 15:1010-1017. [PMID: 37055374 DOI: 10.1002/dta.3477] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2022] [Revised: 02/07/2023] [Accepted: 03/24/2023] [Indexed: 04/15/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Sara Odoardi
- Department of Health Surveillance and Bioethics, Forensic Toxicology Laboratory, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore F. Policlinico Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Serena Mestria
- Department of Health Surveillance and Bioethics, Forensic Toxicology Laboratory, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore F. Policlinico Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Giulia Biosa
- Department of Health Surveillance and Bioethics, Forensic Toxicology Laboratory, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore F. Policlinico Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Francesca Cittadini
- Department of Health Surveillance and Bioethics, Forensic Toxicology Laboratory, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore F. Policlinico Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Massimo Senati
- Department of Health Surveillance and Bioethics, Forensic Toxicology Laboratory, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore F. Policlinico Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Sabina Strano Rossi
- Department of Health Surveillance and Bioethics, Forensic Toxicology Laboratory, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore F. Policlinico Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy
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Koskivuori J, Voutilainen R, Storvik M, Häkkinen MR, Uusitalo L, Keski-Nisula L, Backman K, Auriola S, Lehtonen M. Comparative steroid profiling of newborn hair and umbilical cord serum highlights the role of fetal adrenals, placenta, and pregnancy outcomes in fetal steroid metabolism. J Steroid Biochem Mol Biol 2023; 232:106357. [PMID: 37390977 DOI: 10.1016/j.jsbmb.2023.106357] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2023] [Revised: 05/30/2023] [Accepted: 06/26/2023] [Indexed: 07/02/2023]
Abstract
Previous steroid hormone studies concerning pregnancy and newborns have mainly focused on glucocorticoids; wider steroid profiles have been less commonly investigated. Here, we performed a comparative analysis of 17 steroids from newborn hair and umbilical cord serum at the time of delivery. The study participants (n = 42, 50% girls) were a part of the Kuopio Birth Cohort and represent usual Finnish pregnancies. The hair and cord serum samples were analyzed with liquid chromatography high resolution mass spectrometry and triple quadrupole tandem mass spectrometry, respectively. We detected high individual variations in steroid hormone concentrations in both sample matrices. The concentrations of cortisol (F), corticosterone (B), estrone (E1), estradiol (E2), dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), 11β-hydroxyandostenedione (11bOHA4), 5α-androstanedione (DHA4), and 17α-hydroxypregnenolone (17OHP5) correlated positively between cord serum and newborn hair samples. In addition, F and 11bOHA4 concentrations correlated positively with each other in both newborn hair and cord serum samples. The cortisone-to-cortisol ratio (E/F) was significantly higher in cord serum than in newborn hair samples reflecting high placental 11βHSD2 enzyme activity. Only minor sex differences in steroid concentrations were observed; higher testosterone (T) and 11-deoxycortisol (S) with lower 11bOHA4 in male cord serum, and higher DHEA, androstenedione (A4) and 11bOHA4 in female newborn hair samples. Parity and delivery mode were the most significant pregnancy- and birth-related parameters associating with F and some other adrenocortical steroid concentrations. This study provides novel information about intrauterine steroid metabolism in late pregnancy and typical concentration ranges for several newborn hair steroids, including also 11-oxygenated androgens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Johanna Koskivuori
- School of Pharmacy, University of Eastern Finland, Yliopistonranta 1B, 70210 Kuopio, Finland.
| | - Raimo Voutilainen
- Department of Pediatrics, Kuopio University Hospital, P.O. Box 100, 70029 Kuopio, Finland; Institute of Clinical Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland
| | - Markus Storvik
- School of Pharmacy, University of Eastern Finland, Yliopistonranta 1B, 70210 Kuopio, Finland
| | - Merja R Häkkinen
- School of Pharmacy, University of Eastern Finland, Yliopistonranta 1B, 70210 Kuopio, Finland; Department of Health Security, Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare, Neulaniementie 4, 70210 Kuopio, Finland
| | - Lauri Uusitalo
- Institute of Clinical Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Kuopio University Hospital, Kuopio, Finland
| | - Leea Keski-Nisula
- Institute of Clinical Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Kuopio University Hospital, Kuopio, Finland
| | - Katri Backman
- Department of Pediatrics, Kuopio University Hospital, P.O. Box 100, 70029 Kuopio, Finland
| | - Seppo Auriola
- School of Pharmacy, University of Eastern Finland, Yliopistonranta 1B, 70210 Kuopio, Finland
| | - Marko Lehtonen
- School of Pharmacy, University of Eastern Finland, Yliopistonranta 1B, 70210 Kuopio, Finland
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Fusi J, Veronesi MC, Prandi A, Probo M, Faustini M, Peric T. Peripubertal Testosterone, 17β-Estradiol and Progesterone Concentrations in Hair and Nails in Dobermann Dogs. Animals (Basel) 2023; 13:2241. [PMID: 37444039 DOI: 10.3390/ani13132241] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2023] [Revised: 07/05/2023] [Accepted: 07/07/2023] [Indexed: 07/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Studies about puberty in dogs are few, probably because many factors are involved in the delicate process of puberty onset, leading to difficulties in the proper enrollment of subjects. Moreover, the use of blood for monitoring hormonal changes can be problematic, and not feasible for long-term studies. Hair and nails proved to be suitable matrices for the retrospective evaluation of hormones' long-term accumulation. This study was performed using hair and nails for the evaluation of testosterone (T), 17β-estradiol (E2) and progesterone (P4) concentrations to assess possible sexual steroid changes during the peripubertal period in dogs. The results, obtained on five males and five females, showed a significant increase in T in hair and nails of males immediately before puberty. In females, a significant increase in E2 at puberty and a marked increase in P4 after puberty was found in both biological specimens. Sex-related differences were detected only for T hair concentrations, but when the sex and sampling time were considered together, hair and nails T and nails P4 concentrations allowed us to discern between male and female dogs at specific sampling times. The results from this study showed that hair and nails are useful biological specimens for the retrospective evaluation of changes in T, E2 and P4 concentrations in peripubertal dogs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jasmine Fusi
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via dell'Università 6, 26900 Lodi, Italy
| | - Maria Cristina Veronesi
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via dell'Università 6, 26900 Lodi, Italy
| | - Alberto Prandi
- Department of Agricultural, Food, Environmental and Animal Sciences, University of Udine, Via Sondrio 2/a, 33100 Udine, Italy
| | - Monica Probo
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via dell'Università 6, 26900 Lodi, Italy
| | - Massimo Faustini
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via dell'Università 6, 26900 Lodi, Italy
| | - Tanja Peric
- Department of Agricultural, Food, Environmental and Animal Sciences, University of Udine, Via Sondrio 2/a, 33100 Udine, Italy
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Higashi T, Aso S, Horisaki H, Ito T, Tanaka S, Nishimoto-Kusunose S, Ogawa S, Kato K, Ide H. Evaluation of thumbnail clipping as a specimen for retrospectively assessing average production of testosterone. Clin Chim Acta 2023; 538:157-163. [PMID: 36417978 DOI: 10.1016/j.cca.2022.11.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2022] [Revised: 11/14/2022] [Accepted: 11/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The chronic abnormal production of testosterone (T) is associated with many disorders in men. Fingernail clippings might be more suited for the diagnosis and medium-to-long term therapeutic monitoring for the T-related chronic disorders than the blood-derived specimens. The objective of this study was to characterize a thumbnail clipping as the specimen for assessing the several months-old T status. METHODS Thumbnail clippings from various subjects were analyzed by liquid chromatography/electrospray ionization-tandem mass spectrometry to evaluate the gender difference, and changes caused by aging and androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) in the thumbnail T concentration. RESULTS There was an evident gender difference in the thumbnail T concentrations [male; 2.55 ± 0.85 ng/g and female; 0.48 ± 0.29 ng/g, mean ± SD (n = 25 each), Welch t-test]. The thumbnail T concentrations significantly decreased with age in men (n = 268, Scheffé F-test), which was similar to those of the free or bioavailable T in serum/plasma. The thumbnail T concentrations sharply decreased by a 6-months ADT (especially the effect of the luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone agonist/antagonist) for patients with prostate cancer (n = 10). CONCLUSIONS The thumbnail clipping can be a specimen to retrospectively assess the average T production.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tatsuya Higashi
- Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tokyo University of Science, 2641 Yamazaki, Noda, Chiba 278-8510, Japan.
| | - Saki Aso
- Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tokyo University of Science, 2641 Yamazaki, Noda, Chiba 278-8510, Japan
| | - Hiroaki Horisaki
- Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tokyo University of Science, 2641 Yamazaki, Noda, Chiba 278-8510, Japan
| | - Takenori Ito
- Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tokyo University of Science, 2641 Yamazaki, Noda, Chiba 278-8510, Japan
| | - Sakurako Tanaka
- Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tokyo University of Science, 2641 Yamazaki, Noda, Chiba 278-8510, Japan
| | - Shoichi Nishimoto-Kusunose
- Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tokyo University of Science, 2641 Yamazaki, Noda, Chiba 278-8510, Japan
| | - Shoujiro Ogawa
- Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tokyo University of Science, 2641 Yamazaki, Noda, Chiba 278-8510, Japan; Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Fukuyama University, 1 Sanzo, Gakuen-cho, Fukuyama, Hiroshima 729-0292, Japan
| | - Kazuhiko Kato
- ASKA Pharma Medical Co., Ltd., 2-26-1 Muraoka-higashi, Fujisawa, Kanagawa 251-8555, Japan
| | - Hisamitsu Ide
- Department of Urology, Dokkyo Medical University Saitama Medical Center, 2-1-50 Minami-koshigaya, Koshigaya, Saitama 343-8555, Japan
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12
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Scholz C, Baumgartner MR, Kraemer T, Binz TM. Single sample preparation for the simultaneous extraction of drugs, pharmaceuticals, cannabinoids and endogenous steroids in hair. ANALYTICAL METHODS : ADVANCING METHODS AND APPLICATIONS 2022; 14:4583-4591. [PMID: 36317647 DOI: 10.1039/d2ay01325h] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Recently, we published a multi-analyte method for the simultaneous analysis of 116 drugs and pharmaceuticals including different substance groups like opioids, stimulants, benzodiazepines, z-drugs, antidepressants and neuroleptics based on a single sample workup followed by a single analytical measurement with LC-MS/MS. However, in some cases, additional analysis of further substance groups, such as cannabinoids and endogenous steroids, is required, which are analyzed in our laboratory using separate sample preparation and separate analytical methods. The goal of this study was to use the knowledge from the different sample preparations and combine them into a single sample preparation and extraction workflow for the simultaneous extraction of drugs, pharmaceuticals, cannabinoids, and endogenous steroids to be analyzed with the appropriate analytical methods. A partial validation of selected parameters such as selectivity, linearity, limit of quantification (LOQ), accuracy, precision and robustness for the different analytical methods was carried out and revalidated. In addition, comparative measurements of quality controls and authentic pools were performed and statistically evaluated using the unpaired t-test or the non-parametric Mann-Whitney test. The results using the newly established sample preparation and extraction were in good agreement with the original data. In conclusion, the newly established sample preparation is suitable for the combined extraction of drugs, pharmaceuticals, cannabinoids and endogenous steroids, and gives reliable results for quantification of various substances.
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Affiliation(s)
- Clementine Scholz
- Center for Forensic Hair Analysis, Zurich Institute of Forensic Medicine, University of Zurich, Kurvenstrasse, 17 8006 Zürich, Switzerland.
| | - Markus R Baumgartner
- Center for Forensic Hair Analysis, Zurich Institute of Forensic Medicine, University of Zurich, Kurvenstrasse, 17 8006 Zürich, Switzerland.
| | - Thomas Kraemer
- Department of Forensic Pharmacology and Toxicology, Zurich Institute of Forensic Medicine, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Tina M Binz
- Center for Forensic Hair Analysis, Zurich Institute of Forensic Medicine, University of Zurich, Kurvenstrasse, 17 8006 Zürich, Switzerland.
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13
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Fusi J, Veronesi MC, Prandi A, Meloni T, Faustini M, Peric T. Hair and Claw Dehydroepiandrosterone Concentrations in Newborn Puppies Spontaneously Dead within 30 Days of Age. Animals (Basel) 2022; 12:ani12223162. [PMID: 36428389 PMCID: PMC9686924 DOI: 10.3390/ani12223162] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2022] [Revised: 11/11/2022] [Accepted: 11/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The latest intrauterine fetal developmental stage and the neonatal period represent the most challenging phases for mammalian offspring. Toward the term of pregnancy, during parturition, and after birth, the hypothalamic−pituitary−adrenal axis (HPA) is a key system regulating several physiologic processes, through the production of cortisol and dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA). This study was aimed to assess DHEA concentrations in hair and claws of 126 spontaneously dead newborn puppies, classified as premature puppies (PRE-P), stillborn puppies (STILL-P) and puppies that died from the 1st to the 30th day of life (NEON-P). The possible influence of newborn sex, breed body size, and timing of death on DHEA concentrations in both matrices was evaluated. Claw DHEA concentrations were higher in the PRE-P group when compared to STILL-P and NEON-P puppies (p < 0.05), whilst no significant differences were found in hair for all the studied factors. The results confirm the hypothesis that higher amounts of DHEA are produced during the intrauterine life in dogs, also in puppies that will die soon after birth.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jasmine Fusi
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via dell’Università 6, 26900 Lodi, Italy
| | - Maria Cristina Veronesi
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via dell’Università 6, 26900 Lodi, Italy
- Correspondence:
| | - Alberto Prandi
- Department of Agricultural, Food, Environmental and Animal Sciences, University of Udine, Via Sondrio, 2/a, 33100 Udine, Italy
| | - Tea Meloni
- Free Practitioner, DVM, Ambulatorio Veterinario Dott.ssa Tea Meloni, Via Fabio Filzi 24/28, 25063 Gardone Val Trompia, Italy
| | - Massimo Faustini
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via dell’Università 6, 26900 Lodi, Italy
| | - Tanja Peric
- Department of Agricultural, Food, Environmental and Animal Sciences, University of Udine, Via Sondrio, 2/a, 33100 Udine, Italy
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14
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Carrillo Vázquez M, Johnson-Ferguson L, Zimmermann J, Baumgartner MR, Binz TM, Beuschlein F, Ribeaud D, Shanahan L, Quednow BB. Associations of different hormonal contraceptive methods with hair concentrations of cortisol, cortisone, and testosterone in young women. COMPREHENSIVE PSYCHONEUROENDOCRINOLOGY 2022; 12:100161. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cpnec.2022.100161] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2022] [Revised: 10/14/2022] [Accepted: 10/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
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15
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Restin T, Byland N, Voegel CD, La Marca-Ghaemmaghami P, Baumgartner MR, Bassler D, Kraemer T, Binz TM. Endocannabinoid and steroid analysis in infant and adult nails by LC-MS/MS. Anal Bioanal Chem 2022; 414:6201-6211. [PMID: 35781588 PMCID: PMC9314307 DOI: 10.1007/s00216-022-04189-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2022] [Revised: 05/11/2022] [Accepted: 06/20/2022] [Indexed: 12/04/2022]
Abstract
A common method to quantify chronic stress is the analysis of stress markers in keratinized matrices such as hair or nail. In this study, we aimed to validate a sensitive liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (LC–MS/MS) method for the combined quantification of steroid hormones and endocannabinoids (eCBs) in the keratinized matrix nail. Furthermore, we aimed to investigate the suitability of the nail matrix for the detection of these stress markers in a pilot study. An LC–MS/MS method was used for the simultaneous identification and quantification of four eCBs (2-arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG), anandamide (AEA), oleoylethanolamide (OEA), palmitoylethanolamide (PEA)) and five steroid hormones (cortisol, cortisone, androstenedione, progesterone, testosterone) in human nails using a surrogate analyte method for each analyte. The method was validated in terms of selectivity, response factor, linearity, limit of quantification (LOQ), precision, accuracy, matrix effect, recovery, robustness, and autosampler stability. Nail samples were extracted for 1 h with methanol following a clean-up with a fully automated supported liquid extraction (SLE). The influence of nail weight on the quantification was investigated by using 0.5–20 mg of nail sample. As a proof of concept, nail samples (N = 57) were analyzed from a cohort representing newborns (1 month old), children (between 1 and 10 years), and adults (up to 43 years). It could be shown that the established workflow using a 1 hour extraction and clean-up by SLE was very robust and resulted in a short sample preparation time. The LC–MS/MS method was successfully validated. Matrix effects with ion enhancement occurred mainly for 2-AG. Sample weights below 5 mg showed variations in quantification for some analytes. Certain analytes such as PEA and progesterone could be accurately quantified at a sample weight lower than 5 mg. This is the first study where steroids and eCBs could be simultaneously detected and quantified in infant and adult nails. These results show that nails may serve as an alternative keratinized matrix (compared to hair) for the retrospective monitoring of cumulative eCB and steroid hormone levels. The combined assessment of eCBs and steroids from nails could provide a new approach to gain new insights into stress exposure in newborns and adults.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tanja Restin
- Newborn Research Zurich, Department of Neonatology, University Hospital Zurich and University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
- Institute of Physiology, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Nastassja Byland
- Center for Forensic Hair Analytics, Zurich Institute of Forensic Medicine, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Clarissa D Voegel
- Center for Forensic Hair Analytics, Zurich Institute of Forensic Medicine, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Pearl La Marca-Ghaemmaghami
- Psychology Counselling and Research Institute for Sexuality, Marriage and the Family, International Academy for Human Sciences and Culture, Walenstadt, Switzerland
| | - Markus R Baumgartner
- Center for Forensic Hair Analytics, Zurich Institute of Forensic Medicine, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Dirk Bassler
- Newborn Research Zurich, Department of Neonatology, University Hospital Zurich and University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Thomas Kraemer
- Department of Forensic Pharmacology and Toxicology, Zurich Institute of Forensic Medicine, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Tina M Binz
- Center for Forensic Hair Analytics, Zurich Institute of Forensic Medicine, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.
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16
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Keen B, Cawley A, Reedy B, Fu S. Metabolomics in clinical and forensic toxicology, sports anti-doping and veterinary residues. Drug Test Anal 2022; 14:794-807. [PMID: 35194967 PMCID: PMC9544538 DOI: 10.1002/dta.3245] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2021] [Revised: 02/13/2022] [Accepted: 02/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Metabolomics is a multidisciplinary field providing workflows for complementary approaches to conventional analytical determinations. It allows for the study of metabolically related groups of compounds or even the study of novel pathways within the biological system. The procedural stages of metabolomics; experimental design, sample preparation, analytical determinations, data processing and statistical analysis, compound identification and validation strategies are explored in this review. The selected approach will depend on the type of study being conducted. Experimental design influences the whole metabolomics workflow and thus needs to be properly assessed to ensure sufficient sample size, minimal introduced and biological variation and appropriate statistical power. Sample preparation needs to be simple, yet potentially global in order to detect as many compounds as possible. Analytical determinations need to be optimised either for the list of targeted compounds or a universal approach. Data processing and statistical analysis approaches vary widely and need to be better harmonised for review and interpretation. This includes validation strategies that are currently deficient in many presented workflows. Common compound identification approaches have been explored in this review. Metabolomics applications are discussed for clinical and forensic toxicology, human and equine sports anti-doping and veterinary residues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bethany Keen
- Centre for Forensic ScienceUniversity of Technology SydneyBroadwayNew South WalesAustralia
| | - Adam Cawley
- Australian Racing Forensic LaboratoryRacing NSWSydneyNew South WalesAustralia
| | - Brian Reedy
- School of Mathematical and Physical SciencesUniversity of Technology SydneyBroadwayNew South WalesAustralia
| | - Shanlin Fu
- Centre for Forensic ScienceUniversity of Technology SydneyBroadwayNew South WalesAustralia
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17
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A quantitative ultra-performance liquid chromatography high-resolution mass spectrometry analysis of steroids from human scalp hair. J Pharm Biomed Anal 2022; 215:114768. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jpba.2022.114768] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2022] [Revised: 03/25/2022] [Accepted: 04/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
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18
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The Association between Endogenous Hair Steroid Hormones and Social Environmental Factors in a Group of Conscripts during Basic Military Training. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2021; 18:ijerph182212239. [PMID: 34831996 PMCID: PMC8625620 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph182212239] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2021] [Revised: 11/12/2021] [Accepted: 11/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
This study aimed to analyse the association between endogenous hair steroid hormones as reliable biological indicators of an individual’s stress level and the social environmental factors experienced during military training that are manifested at the beginning of compulsory military service. Hair steroid hormone concentrations—cortisol, cortisone, dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), and testosterone—in a group of 185 conscripts were measured using the ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry method. Six subjective social environmental factors in the military—attitude towards the military and military service, adaptation to the military environment, team, task, and norm cohesion, as well as psychological (un)safety in the group—were evaluated using military-specific research questionnaires. Weak but significant negative correlations were identified between cortisol and adaptation (r = −0.176, p < 0.05), attitude (r = −0.147, p < 0.05) as well as between testosterone and task cohesion (r = −0.230, p < 0.01) levels. Additionally, a multiple forward stepwise regression analysis highlighted that cortisone variation might be partially explained by task cohesion; the DHEA—determined by psychological (un)safety in the group, attitude towards the military and military service, and norm cohesion; and the testosterone—determined by task cohesion and adaptation to the new military environment. The results of this study suggest that subjective measures of social factors can be used to predict hair steroid hormone levels as objective measures of the chronic stress perceived by conscripts during their basic military training.
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19
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Chloroform-based liquid-liquid extraction and LC-MS/MS quantification of endocannabinoids, cortisol and progesterone in human hair. J Pharm Biomed Anal 2021; 201:114103. [PMID: 33957361 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpba.2021.114103] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2021] [Revised: 04/19/2021] [Accepted: 04/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Understanding the role of endogenous cannabinoids (endocannabinoids) in disease is of increasing importance. However, tools to investigate endocannabinoid levels in humans are limited. In the current study, we report a simplified sample preparation method for quantifying endocannabinoids and steroid hormones in hair using liquid-liquid extraction combined with ultra performance liquid chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry. The fully validated method is at least R2 = 0.99 linear between 5 and 1,000 pg/mg for each analyte and the detection limits are at or below 0.50 pg/mg for cortisol, progesterone, oleoylethanolamide, and arachidonoyl ethanolamide, and 2.65 pg/mg for 2-arachidonoyl glycerol. Sequential extraction of hair samples revealed that multiple extractions may be required for quantitative recovery of steroids. However endogenous cannabinoids were efficiently recovered using a single sample extraction. The method was applied to a psychosocial stress study where participants provided samples of both hair and saliva. Endogenous hair arachidonoyl ethanolamide levels were negatively associated with resting, but not stressed, salivary cortisol levels in healthy participants. This simplified method enables the detailed study of hormonal and endocannabinoids in human hair with high sensitivity.
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20
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Kintz P, Gheddar L, Raul JS. Testing for anabolic steroids in human nail clippings. J Forensic Sci 2021; 66:1577-1582. [PMID: 33885144 DOI: 10.1111/1556-4029.14729] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2021] [Revised: 03/24/2021] [Accepted: 03/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Anabolic steroids are synthetic derivatives of testosterone, and their abuse can have numerous health consequences. Identification of this group of drugs has found applications in forensic toxicology, clinical situations, psychiatric disorders, and of course, anti-doping violations. Although anabolic steroids are generally tested in urine and very occasionally in head hair, collectors can face the lack of standard specimens, and therefore, nail clippings can be the unique alternative choice. Although there is no possibility to perform segmental analyses using nail clippings, the window of drug detection is generally much longer in nail when compared to head hair (particularly in male subjects), that is, 3-8 months and 4-12 months for finger and toenail clippings, respectively. A new method was developed, including nail pulverization in a ball mill, sonication for 90 min in methanol, and a combination of liquid-liquid and solid-phase extractions, followed by gas and liquid chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry. To document the application of steroid testing in nail clippings, the authors present 6 authentic cases of abuse, involving stanozolol (7 and 24 pg/mg), nandrolone (6 pg/mg), trenbolone (26, 67, 81, and 89 pg/mg), drostanolone (8 and 11 pg/mg), and testosterone enanthate (14 pg/mg). Given concentrations were always in the low pg/mg range, the use of tandem mass spectrometry appears as a prerequisite.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pascal Kintz
- Institut de médecine légale, Strasbourg, France.,X-Pertise Consulting, Mittelhausbergen, France
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21
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Marceau K, Rolan E, Robertson O, Wang W, Shirtcliff EA. Within-person changes of cortisol, dehydroepiandrosterone, testosterone, estradiol, and progesterone in hair across pregnancy, with comparison to a non-pregnant reference group. COMPREHENSIVE PSYCHONEUROENDOCRINOLOGY 2021; 5. [PMID: 33778789 PMCID: PMC7990345 DOI: 10.1016/j.cpnec.2020.100024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
The literature on hormone changes in pregnancy has focused largely on cortisol, and changes in sample average concentrations. Within-person changes and variability in hormone concentrations are less commonly reported, particularly for sex hormones, and especially measured in hair. Using a prospective sample of pregnant women and a non-pregnant comparison group, we examined changes in five steroid hormones in hair. Non-pregnant women were recruited from the same area with parallel procedures and assessment timeline. Participants include 68 women (34 pregnant, average age = 29.14, and 34 non-pregnant; average age = 27.18) who were predominately non-Hispanic White (83%), and above the 2020 poverty line (75%). Pregnant women provided 3 cm hair samples and completed questionnaires three times during pregnancy: 1) at 12 weeks, 2) at 26 weeks, and 3) at 38 weeks. Non-pregnant women provided 3 cm hair samples and completed questionnaires three times, at baseline, 14 weeks later, and 12 weeks after that to mirror the assessment schedule of the pregnant group. There was clear evidence that progesterone was higher initially and increased dramatically across pregnancy whereas non-pregnant patterns showed no systematic change. There was suggestive evidence that cortisol and estradiol increased over pregnancy and in non-pregnant women similarly across the same time course. There was suggestive evidence that DHEA decreased across pregnancy, particularly early in pregnancy, differently from patterns in non-pregnant women over the same time course. Most importantly, there was substantial variability of hormone concentrations and many different within-person patterns of changes in these hormones over time, with little evidence of systematic change or stability within-individuals. Moving beyond discussing sample averages to including within-person and non-linear changes in studies of hormones-behavior associations during pregnancy is an important future direction for further investigation. We describe within-person hormone changes in pregnant and non-pregnant women. There were many observed patterns of change over time within individuals. Average hair progesterone increased and DHEA decreased across early pregnancy. Average hair cortisol and estradiol weakly increased in both groups of women. There was far more variability over time than systematic change or stability.
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22
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Kintz P, Gheddar L, Raul JS. Simultaneous testing for anabolic steroids in human hair specimens collected from various anatomic locations has several advantages when compared with the standard head hair analysis. Drug Test Anal 2021; 13:1445-1451. [PMID: 33634609 DOI: 10.1002/dta.3020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2021] [Revised: 02/23/2021] [Accepted: 02/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Since the late 90s, hair testing for anabolic steroids in humans has found numerous forensic, clinical, and anti-doping applications. In most cases, analyses were performed on head hair, collected in the vertex regions. However, for various reasons (shaved subject, bald subject, religious belief, cosmetic treatment and aesthetic reason), hair collectors can face the lack of head hair, and therefore, body hair can be the unique alternative choice. Although there is no possibility to perform segmental analyses with body hair, their use has two major advantages: (1) In most cases, anabolic steroids are more concentrated in body hair when compared with head hair, which allows detecting abuse at lower frequency and for lower dosages; and (2) the window of drug detection is generally much longer in body hair when compared with head hair, particularly in male athlete presenting short head hair. To document the relevance of simultaneous collection of head and body hair, the authors present eight authentic cases of anabolic steroids abuse, including clostebol (one case), drostanolone (one case), metandienone (one case), 19-norandrostenedione (one case), stanozolol (two cases) and trenbolone (three cases). In all cases, body hair concentrations were higher than head hair concentrations. Even in three cases, no steroid was identified in head hair, although present in body hair.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pascal Kintz
- X-Pertise Consulting, Mittelhausbergen, France.,Laboratory of Toxicology, Institut de medecine légale, Strasbourg, France
| | - Laurie Gheddar
- Laboratory of Toxicology, Institut de medecine légale, Strasbourg, France
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23
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Olesti E, Boccard J, Visconti G, González-Ruiz V, Rudaz S. From a single steroid to the steroidome: Trends and analytical challenges. J Steroid Biochem Mol Biol 2021; 206:105797. [PMID: 33259940 DOI: 10.1016/j.jsbmb.2020.105797] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2020] [Revised: 11/02/2020] [Accepted: 11/24/2020] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
For several decades now, the analysis of steroids has been a key tool in the diagnosis and monitoring of numerous endocrine pathologies. Thus, the available methods used to analyze steroids in biological samples have dramatically evolved over time following the rapid pace of technology and scientific knowledge. This review aims to synthetize the advances in steroids' analysis, from classical approaches considering only a few steroids or a limited number of steroid ratios, up to the new steroid profiling strategies (steroidomics) monitoring large sets of steroids in biological matrices. In this context, the use of liquid chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry has emerged as the technique of choice for the simultaneous determination of a high number of steroids, including phase II metabolites, due to its sensitivity and robustness. However, the large dynamic range to be covered, the low natural abundance of some key steroids, the selectivity of the analytical methods, the extraction protocols, and the steroid ionization remain some of the current challenges in steroid analysis. This review provides an overview of the different analytical workflows available depending on the number of steroids under study. Special emphasis is given to sample treatment, acquisition strategy, data processing, steroid identification and quantification using LC-MS approaches. This work also outlines how the availability of steroid standards, the need for complementary analytical strategies and the improvement of calibration approaches are crucial for achieving complete steroidome quantification.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eulalia Olesti
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences of Western Switzerland, University of Geneva, Switzerland; School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Geneva, Switzerland; Swiss Centre for Applied Human Toxicology (SCAHT), Switzerland
| | - Julien Boccard
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences of Western Switzerland, University of Geneva, Switzerland; School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Geneva, Switzerland; Swiss Centre for Applied Human Toxicology (SCAHT), Switzerland
| | - Gioele Visconti
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences of Western Switzerland, University of Geneva, Switzerland; School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Víctor González-Ruiz
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences of Western Switzerland, University of Geneva, Switzerland; School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Geneva, Switzerland; Swiss Centre for Applied Human Toxicology (SCAHT), Switzerland
| | - Serge Rudaz
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences of Western Switzerland, University of Geneva, Switzerland.
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24
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Cobo-Golpe M, de-Castro-Ríos A, Cruz A, Páramo M, López-Rivadulla M, Lendoiro E. Determination of antipsychotic drugs in nails and hair by liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry and evaluation of their incorporation into keratinized matrices. J Pharm Biomed Anal 2020; 189:113443. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jpba.2020.113443] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2020] [Revised: 06/19/2020] [Accepted: 06/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
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Voegel CD, Baumgartner MR, Kraemer T, Wüst S, Binz TM. Simultaneous quantification of steroid hormones and endocannabinoids (ECs) in human hair using an automated supported liquid extraction (SLE) and LC-MS/MS - Insights into EC baseline values and correlation to steroid concentrations. Talanta 2020; 222:121499. [PMID: 33167212 DOI: 10.1016/j.talanta.2020.121499] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2020] [Revised: 07/31/2020] [Accepted: 08/01/2020] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Endogenous steroid hormones and endocannabinoids (ECs) are important regulators in the stress response of the human body. For the measurement of chronic stress, hair analysis has been established as method of choice for long-term and retrospective determination of endogenous stress markers. A sensitive liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) method for the quantification of five steroid hormones (cortisone, cortisol, androstenedione, testosterone, progesterone) and four endocannabinoids (anandamide, palmitoylethanolamide, 2-arachidonylglycerol, oleoylethanolamide) in hair was developed and validated. The hair samples were extracted with methanol and cleaned up with a fully automated supported liquid extraction (SLE) before analysis. Special attention was paid to the difficulties accompanying the quantification of endogenous analytes in hair. Five different strategies for endogenous compound quantification in hair (surrogate analyte, standard addition, background correction, stripped matrix and solvent calibration) were tested and compared. As a result, the approach of the surrogate analyte was used for the quantification of steroid hormones whereas background correction was used for endocannabinoids. The measurement of 58 samples from healthy young adults allowed insights into endocannabinoid ranges in hair and the correlation to steroid hormones. No significant differences in steroid and EC concentration levels of male and female in hair were found, except for testosterone (p < 0.001) and androstenedione (p < 0.0001). Cortisol to cortisone and testosterone to androstenedione concentrations were significantly and positively correlated. There were significant intercorrelations between endocannabinoids.
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Affiliation(s)
- Clarissa Daniela Voegel
- Center for Forensic Hair Analytics, Zurich Institute of Forensic Medicine, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Markus R Baumgartner
- Center for Forensic Hair Analytics, Zurich Institute of Forensic Medicine, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Thomas Kraemer
- Department of Forensic Pharmacology and Toxicology, Zurich Institute of Forensic Medicine, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Stefan Wüst
- Institute of Psychology, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Tina Maria Binz
- Center for Forensic Hair Analytics, Zurich Institute of Forensic Medicine, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.
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Kintz P, Gheddar L, Ameline A, Raul J. Identification of S22 (ostarine) in human nails and hair using LC‐HRMS. Application to two authentic cases. Drug Test Anal 2020; 12:1508-1513. [DOI: 10.1002/dta.2902] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2020] [Revised: 07/13/2020] [Accepted: 07/13/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Pascal Kintz
- X‐Pertise Consulting 42 rue principale Mittelhausbergen F‐67206 France
- Institut de médecine légale 11 rue Humann Strasbourg F‐67000 France
| | - Laurie Gheddar
- Institut de médecine légale 11 rue Humann Strasbourg F‐67000 France
| | - Alice Ameline
- Institut de médecine légale 11 rue Humann Strasbourg F‐67000 France
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