Ethyl Glucuronide Concentration in Serum of Human Volunteers, Teetotalers, and Suspected Drinking Drivers

Abstract

The kinetic profile of ethanol and ethyl glucuronide (EtG) in serum was investigated in three subject groups: 1) Healthy, moderately drinking volunteers (daily intake less than 30 g ethanol) who ingested a single dose of ethanol. In this group the maximum of serum ethyl glucuronide concentration (SEtGC) and of serum ethanol concentration (SEC) did not exceed 3.7 mg/L and 1.5 g/L respectively. EtG peaked 2 to 3.5 h later than ethanol. EtG was eliminated with a terminal half-life of 2 to 3 h. EtG decreased slower than ethanol—the metabolite could still be determined in serum up to 8 h after complete ethanol elimination. 2) In serum samples of teetotalers neither ethanol nor EtG could be found. 3) In 37 of 50 serum samples of drivers suspected of driving under the influence of ethanol, SEtGC was found between the limit of detection (0.1 mg/L) and 20 mg/L. If the SEC is less than 1 g/L and the SEtGC is significantly higher than 5 mg/L, we assume alcohol misuse.

Involvement of UDP-Glucuronosyltransferases UGT1A9 and UGT2B7 in Ethanol Glucuronidation, and Interactions with Common Drugs of Abuse

“…Ethyl glucuronide [ethyl-b-D-6-glucuronic acid (ethyl glucuronide); EtG] can be detected in various body fluids, tissues, and hair. It is eliminated with a terminal half-life of 2 to 3 hours (Schmitt et al, 1997) and presents a particularly interesting detection window in body fluids (up to 8 hours and 5 days after complete ethanol elimination, in serum and urine, respectively (Schmitt et al, 1997;Wurst et al, 1999). EtG determination is also much more sensitive and specific than conventional markers (e.g., g-glutamyl transferase, alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, mean corpuscular volume, and carbohydrate-deficient transferrin).…”

Urinary Tract Infection: A Risk Factor for False-Negative Urinary Ethyl Glucuronide but Not Ethyl Sulfate in the Detection of Recent Alcohol Consumption

“…EtG (4,17,18 ) and, more recently, EtS (3,19,20 ) have been introduced as sensitive and specific biomarkers for detection of recent alcohol consumption, with major advantages compared with conventional ethanol testing, including a much longer detection time (i.e., improved sensitivity) with retained high specificity. Our results demonstrated, however, that EtG may not be stable on storage if the urine specimens taken for analysis are infected with pathogens possessing ␤-glucuronidase activity (typically E. coli).…”

Diagnostic Accuracy and Interpretation of Urine Drug Testing for Pain Patients: An Evidence-Based Approach

“…Marijuana is by far the most prevalent among the illicit drugs, followed by cocaine and methamphetamine. From the table it is clear that alcohol use is about 10% as measured by the presence of alcohol's metabolites ethyl glucuronide (EtG) and ethyl sulfate (EtS) Dahl et al, 2002;Helander & Beck, 2005;Helander et al, 1996;Schmitt et al, 1997;Stephanson et al, 2002;Wojcik & Hawthorne, 2007;Wurst et al, 2006;Wurst et al, 2004). These data show that in order to provide appropriate monitoring and decrease risk and mortality for this population, a broad test menu is needed.…”

“…For doctors to understand UDT ethanol results, it is essential that they understand ethanol metabolism and the formation of the ethanol byproducts ethyl glucuronide and ethyl sulfate Crews et al, 2011b;Dahl et al, 2002;Helander & Beck, 2005;Helander et al, 1996;Rosano & Lin, 2008;Schmitt et al, 1997;Stephanson et al, 2002;Wojcik & Hawthorne, 2007;Wurst et al, 2006;Wurst et al, 2004). This is because false positive ethanol results can result from fermentation of glucose from diabetic patient samples .…”