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Reliability of plasma cortisol determination by a simple competitive protein binding method
Annals of Clinical Biochemistry
|May 1, 1976
Summary
This study validated a precise and specific method for measuring plasma cortisol using (3H) cortisol. It also analyzed factors influencing cortisol levels and their variations, crucial for accurate clinical assessment.
Area of Science:
- Endocrinology
- Biochemistry
- Clinical Chemistry
Background:
- Accurate measurement of plasma cortisol is essential for diagnosing adrenal disorders.
- Existing methods require validation for routine clinical use and understanding biological variability.
Purpose of the Study:
- To validate a radio-ligand binding assay for routine plasma cortisol determination.
- To investigate factors affecting assay precision and biological cortisol variation.
Main Methods:
- Radio-ligand binding assay using tritiated cortisol ((3H) cortisol) as the ligand.
- Separation of bound and free cortisol using Florisil chromatography.
- Analysis of plasma samples under various pre-analytical conditions.
Main Results:
- The developed method demonstrated adequate precision and specificity for routine use.
- Factors such as plasma separation delay, storage, and venepuncture technique were evaluated.
- Short-term, inter-daily, and long-term variations in plasma cortisol levels were characterized.
Conclusions:
- The validated radio-ligand assay is suitable for routine clinical laboratory use.
- Understanding pre-analytical variables and cortisol diurnal variation is critical for accurate interpretation of results.