Determination of cortisone and cortisol in human scalp hair using an improved LC-MS/MS-based method

The study developed an improved LC-MS/MS method for quantifying cortisone and cortisol in human scalp hair, achieving excellent linearity and low limits of quantification with minimal matrix interference. It found that cortisone and cortisol concentrations decrease predictably from proximal to distal hair segments, with cortisone showing less individual variation, suggesting it may be a more reliable indicator of glucocorticoid exposure. The method allows for accurate detection of pathological glucocorticoid concentrations, aiding in diagnosing conditions like Cushing’s syndrome and Addison disease. The study involved hair samples from 9 female subjects and recommends assessing cortisone and cortisol in consecutive 1 cm hair segments to identify cortisol metabolism perturbations, advocating for large cohort studies to establish reference trajectories.