Urinary high performance reverse phase chromatography cortisol and cortisone analyses before and at the end of a race in elite cyclists

A functional and basic method for the quantitative analysis of urine cortisol (F) and cortisone (E) using a Solid-Phase Extraction column and HPLC with ultraviolet detection is here described and validated to analyse urine samples. Urine specimens were analysed to study F and E relation and ratio in athletes and healthy sedentary subjects. The F and E concentrations in random urine specimens were significantly higher in the post exercise versus pre exercise condition in cyclists (F: 136 ± 93 nmol/l versus 67 ± 50 nmol/l (p < 0.001); E: 797 ± 400 nmol/l versus 408 ± 252 nmol/l (p < 0.001)). The F/E ratio was 0.18 ± 0.11 versus 0.16 ± 0.07, respectively, and a significant difference was only demonstrated comparing sedentary (0.11 ± 0.07) and cyclist individuals at rest (p < 0.05).