Artificial enzyme detects cortisol levels in sweat

Cortisol is a hormone produced in the adrenal glands. Hormones are the body’s chemical messengers, and cortisol is one of the steroid hormones, along with androgens, estrogens and progestins. Steroid hormones play a role in several physiological processes including sexual development.

Among its jobs, cortisol assists in fighting infection, maintaining blood pressure and regulating blood sugar and metabolism. It is nicknamed the ‘stress hormone’ because it is released when people find themselves under pressure.

Cortisol is beneficial for dealing with stress in the short term, but prolonged periods of high cortisol levels can have harmful effects on the body, such as an increased risk of anxiety, depression and heart disease.

Sanjida Yeasmin, a doctoral student who led the study, said: “In a healthy individual, cortisol levels rise and fall depending on time throughout the day. They are usually higher in the morning and lower at night – that means if you’re going to effectively monitor cortisol, fast and frequent measurement is needed.”