Abstract
Phosphatidylethanol (PEth) is a minor metabolite of ethanol, a phospholipid that is synthesized, stored in membranes of red blood cells (RBCs), and measured in whole blood samples. A unique feature of its pharmacokinetics in RBCs is the lack of a critical catabolic enzyme, which is unlike all other cell types studied. The elimination half-life of PEth is 4-7 days, which provides a window of detection up to 28 days during abstinence. Using high-performance liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectroscopic detection, PEth levels can be detected in whole blood samples even after a single standard alcohol drink (14 g ethanol). There are 48 known homologs of PEth in RBCs. PEth 16:0/18:1 is predominant, representing about 37% of total PEth. PEth 16:0/18:2 and 16:0/20:4 are additional homologs with different pharmacokinetic characteristics to more accurately estimate amount and time frame of alcohol consumption.
Original language | English (US) |
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Title of host publication | Neuroscience of Alcohol |
Subtitle of host publication | Mechanisms and Treatment |
Publisher | Elsevier |
Pages | 567-576 |
Number of pages | 10 |
ISBN (Electronic) | 9780128131251 |
ISBN (Print) | 9780128131268 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Jan 1 2019 |
Keywords
- PEth 16:0/18:1
- PEth 16:0/18:2
- PEth 16:0/20:4
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- General Medicine
- General Neuroscience