Circadian Biomarkers in Humans: Methodological Insights into the Detection of Melatonin and Cortisol
Circadian rhythms are intrinsic, with roughly 24 h oscillations that coordinate many physiological functions and are increasingly recognized as key determinants of human health. When these rhythms become misaligned, there is an increased risk for neurodegenerative and psychiatric disorders, metaboli...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2025-07-01
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| Series: | Biomolecules |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2218-273X/15/7/1006 |
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| author | Cene Skubic Urša Zevnik Katarina Nahtigal Leja Dolenc Grošelj Damjana Rozman |
| author_facet | Cene Skubic Urša Zevnik Katarina Nahtigal Leja Dolenc Grošelj Damjana Rozman |
| author_sort | Cene Skubic |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Circadian rhythms are intrinsic, with roughly 24 h oscillations that coordinate many physiological functions and are increasingly recognized as key determinants of human health. When these rhythms become misaligned, there is an increased risk for neurodegenerative and psychiatric disorders, metabolic syndrome, sleep disturbances, and even certain cancers. The hormones, melatonin that rises in the evening and cortisol that peaks shortly after awakening, represent crucial biochemical markers of the circadian phase. This review systematically evaluates contemporary techniques for quantifying melatonin and cortisol, comparing biological matrices (blood, saliva, urine) alongside analytical platforms. Special focus is placed on two clinically informative markers: Dim Light Melatonin Onset (DLMO) and the Cortisol Awakening Response (CAR). We compared immunoassays with liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC MS/MS), highlighting differences in sensitivity, specificity, and laboratory feasibility. Potential confounders, including ambient light, body posture, and exact sampling times—are discussed in detail, to show the capacity of providing the most reliable results. By emphasizing the need for standardized protocols and controlled sampling conditions, this review provides essential guidance for researchers and clinicians aiming to assess the circadian biomarkers melatonin and cortisol with precision since they can be used in clinical practice as diagnostic and prognostic tools for assessing numerous pathologies. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-5f45ba8c2bb64306bf842684e1985c2d |
| institution | DOAJ |
| issn | 2218-273X |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-07-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Biomolecules |
| spelling | doaj-art-5f45ba8c2bb64306bf842684e1985c2d2025-08-20T03:08:05ZengMDPI AGBiomolecules2218-273X2025-07-01157100610.3390/biom15071006Circadian Biomarkers in Humans: Methodological Insights into the Detection of Melatonin and CortisolCene Skubic0Urša Zevnik1Katarina Nahtigal2Leja Dolenc Grošelj3Damjana Rozman4Center for Functional Genomics and Bio-Chips, Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ljubljana, Zaloška cesta 4, 1000 Ljubljana, SloveniaCenter for Functional Genomics and Bio-Chips, Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ljubljana, Zaloška cesta 4, 1000 Ljubljana, SloveniaCenter for Functional Genomics and Bio-Chips, Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ljubljana, Zaloška cesta 4, 1000 Ljubljana, SloveniaInstitute of Clinical Neurophysiology, University Medical Centre Ljubljana, 1000 Ljubljana, SloveniaCenter for Functional Genomics and Bio-Chips, Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ljubljana, Zaloška cesta 4, 1000 Ljubljana, SloveniaCircadian rhythms are intrinsic, with roughly 24 h oscillations that coordinate many physiological functions and are increasingly recognized as key determinants of human health. When these rhythms become misaligned, there is an increased risk for neurodegenerative and psychiatric disorders, metabolic syndrome, sleep disturbances, and even certain cancers. The hormones, melatonin that rises in the evening and cortisol that peaks shortly after awakening, represent crucial biochemical markers of the circadian phase. This review systematically evaluates contemporary techniques for quantifying melatonin and cortisol, comparing biological matrices (blood, saliva, urine) alongside analytical platforms. Special focus is placed on two clinically informative markers: Dim Light Melatonin Onset (DLMO) and the Cortisol Awakening Response (CAR). We compared immunoassays with liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC MS/MS), highlighting differences in sensitivity, specificity, and laboratory feasibility. Potential confounders, including ambient light, body posture, and exact sampling times—are discussed in detail, to show the capacity of providing the most reliable results. By emphasizing the need for standardized protocols and controlled sampling conditions, this review provides essential guidance for researchers and clinicians aiming to assess the circadian biomarkers melatonin and cortisol with precision since they can be used in clinical practice as diagnostic and prognostic tools for assessing numerous pathologies.https://www.mdpi.com/2218-273X/15/7/1006melatoninDLMOcortisolLC–MS/MSELISAcircadian rhythms |
| spellingShingle | Cene Skubic Urša Zevnik Katarina Nahtigal Leja Dolenc Grošelj Damjana Rozman Circadian Biomarkers in Humans: Methodological Insights into the Detection of Melatonin and Cortisol Biomolecules melatonin DLMO cortisol LC–MS/MS ELISA circadian rhythms |
| title | Circadian Biomarkers in Humans: Methodological Insights into the Detection of Melatonin and Cortisol |
| title_full | Circadian Biomarkers in Humans: Methodological Insights into the Detection of Melatonin and Cortisol |
| title_fullStr | Circadian Biomarkers in Humans: Methodological Insights into the Detection of Melatonin and Cortisol |
| title_full_unstemmed | Circadian Biomarkers in Humans: Methodological Insights into the Detection of Melatonin and Cortisol |
| title_short | Circadian Biomarkers in Humans: Methodological Insights into the Detection of Melatonin and Cortisol |
| title_sort | circadian biomarkers in humans methodological insights into the detection of melatonin and cortisol |
| topic | melatonin DLMO cortisol LC–MS/MS ELISA circadian rhythms |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2218-273X/15/7/1006 |
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