Confounders of Serum Phosphatidylethanol: Role of Red Blood Cell Turnover and Cirrhosis

• DOI: 10.2147/hmer.s420732
• Publication Date: 2023-11-01T05:05:10Z
• Authors: Marc Bartel; Vanessa Hofmann; Shijin Wang; Johannes Mueller; Tom R Sundermann; Sebastian Mueller
• Keywords: Phosphatidylethanol; Ethyl glucuronide; Steatosis

Ethyl glucuronide (EtG), ethyl sulfate (EtS) and phosphatidylethanol (PEth) are considered specific direct biomarkers for detecting alcohol consumption. However, PEth, which is produced in red blood cells (RBC), varies considerably between patients unknown reasons. We here studied various confounders of PEth elimination including fibrosis after withdrawal.EtG, EtS together with routine laboratory clinical parameters were 100 Caucasian heavy drinkers prior detoxification. In addition, stage degree steatosis assessed by transient elastography (Fibroscan, Echosens, Paris).All three highly correlated (0.61-0.72) initial serum levels, but only daily After withdrawal, significantly decreased within 6.1 days from 1708 to 810 ng/mL (half-life varied 1.6 15.2 days). Both levels also EtG higher liver cirrhosis as compared without despite comparable consumption suggesting a cirrhosis. was elevated not significantly. contrast, rate enhanced RBC turnover signs alcohol-mediated hemolytic anemia ferritin, LDH increased mean corpuscular volume (MCV).We demonstrate that cirrhosis, both affected opposite directions cell levels. Our data have important implications the use interpretation setting.