Circadian rhythm of urinary steroid metabolites.
BACKGROUND
Samples submitted for urinary steroid profile analysis are often untimed, but influence of collection time on interpretation is unknown. We report circadian rhythms of the major steroid metabolites and derived ratios in urine collected at 3-h intervals over 24 h, after first establishing that disturbance of sleep associated with collection does not alter rhythms on the succeeding day.


METHODS
Assay of steroid metabolites (gas chromatography) and creatinine in urine collections made by 10 men and 10 women every 3 h starting at 2,100 for 24 h. Data were subjected to cosinor analysis.


RESULTS
Summed cortisol and androgen metabolites exhibited significant circadian rhythms, as expected, but with a surprisingly long time-lag (maxima at around 1,400). Amplitudes were different, so that the ratio cortisol/androgen metabolites also showed a significant rhythm. The ratios 5alpha/5beta tetrahydrocortisol and 20-hydroxy/20-oxo cortisol metabolites showed significant rhythms which were not in phase with total cortisol metabolites, while 11-hydroxy/11-oxo cortisol metabolites showed no rhythm. There were no gender differences in time of maxima. Previously established gender differences in metabolite levels were confirmed. Creatinine levels showed no circadian rhythm.


CONCLUSIONS
Circadian variation should be considered when interpreting results from urine steroid analysis. Calculation of steroid/steroid or steroid/creatinine ratios is not informative in untimed collections.
Jerjes
Walid K
WK
Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Guy's, King's College London School of Medicine, Bessemer Road, London SE5 9RS, UK. w_jerjes@yahoo.co.uk
Cleare
Anthony J
AJ
Peters
Timothy J
TJ
Taylor
Norman F
NF
D000328:Adult; D002624:Chemistry, Clinical / Q000379:methods*; D002849:Chromatography, Gas; D002940:Circadian Rhythm; D003404:Creatinine / Q000652:urine; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D015233:Models, Statistical; D012737:Sex Factors; D012890:Sleep; D013256:Steroids / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000652:urine*; D013997:Time Factors
D013256:Steroids; D003404:Creatinine; D006854:Hydrocortisone