Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

The direct ethanol metabolite ethyl glucuronide: A specific marker of recent alcohol consumption

  • Conference paper
New and Upcoming Markers of Alcohol Consumption

Abstract

In clinical as well as in forensic practice, occupational medicine, at court, for both traffic safety and safety at workplaces biological state markers of high sensitivity and specificity, capable of monitoring those in treatment for alcohol dependence or poly-drug-abusers as well as social drinkers in risky situations (driving, workplaces) are required. The known markers can not be considered to be satisfying with regard to these parameters. Furthermore, they do not cover the whole time axis for alcohol intake — i.e. there is a gap with regard to alcohol consumption of between 1 day and 1 – 2 weeks between short- and long-term-markers like ethanol, methanol, HTOL/HIAA ratio and CDT, GGT or MCV respectively. These traditional markers are in many cases besides alcohol influenced by age, gender and a variety of substances and non-alcohol-associated diseases. Ethyl glucuronide (EtG) is a non-volatile, water-soluble, stable upon storage, direct metabolite of ethanol with a molecular weight of 222 g/mol that can be detected in body fluids, tissues and hair. With its specific time frame of detection intermediate between between short- and long term markers and a high sensitivity and specificity, ethyl glucuronide is a promising marker of alcohol consumption in general that can be detected for an extended time period after the complete elimination of alcohol from the body and a marker for relapse control that enables the therapist to intervene at an early stage of relapsing behaviour.

This review highlights for what purposes and to what extent ethyl glucuronide could be a useful tool to enrich our clinical as well as forensic work. Furthermore the current methods of determination are discussed and future perspectives are given.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution
Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 84.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 109.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

Preview

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

References

  • Aderjan R., Besserer H., Sachs H., Schmitt G., Skopp G.; Ethyl glucuronide — a non volatile metabolite in human hair. Lecture on the TIAFT-SOFT Joint Meeting, Tampa 1994.

    Google Scholar 

  • Alt A., Wurst F. M.; Scidl S.; Bestimmung von Ethylglucuronid in Urinproben mit dem internen Standard d5-Ethylglucuronid. Blutalkohol 34: 360–365; 1997.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Alt A., Kempter Ch., Wurst F. M.; Nachweis und quantitative Bestimmung von Ethyl-glucuronid in Urinproben mittels GC/MS und ESI-LC-MS-MS. Symposiumsband des XI. GTFCH Symposium Mosbach 22. – 24.04. 1999, Verlag Dr. Dieter Helm, Heppenheim, in Druck.

    Google Scholar 

  • Alt A., Janda, I., Scidl, S., Wurst, F. M.; Determination of ethyl glucuronide in hair samples. Alcohol 35: 313–314; 2000.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Besserer K., Schmidt V.; Ein Beitrag zur renalen Ausscheidung von Äthylglucuronid nach oraler Alkoholaufhahme. Zentralblatt Rechtsmedizin 25: 369; 1983.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gilg Th., Soyka M.; Wertigkeit biologischer Marker für Alkoholabusus und Alkoholismus. Nervenheilkunde 16: 362–371; 1997.

    Google Scholar 

  • Heiander A., Beck O., Jacobsson G., Wikström T., Borg S.; Characterization of elevated urinary 5-hydroxytryptophol as a marker of recent alcohol consumption. Alcoholism: Clin Exp Res 16: 607; 1992.

    Google Scholar 

  • Helander A., Wikström T., Löwenmo C., Jacobsson G., Beck O.; Urinary excretion of 5-hydroxyin-dole-3-acetic acid and 5-hydroxytryptophol after oral loading with Serotonine. Life Sci 50: 1207–1213; 1992.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Helander A., Beck O., Borg S.; 5-Hydroxytryptophol (5HTOL), a new sensitive urinary test of recent alcohol consumption. In Proceedings of the 14th International Conference on Alcohol, Drugs and Traffic Safety, Annecy 1997, Mercier-Guyon, C ed; 1997: 223–228.

    Google Scholar 

  • Jaakonmaki P. I., Knox K. L., Horning E. C., Horning M. G.; The characterization by gas-liquid chromatography of ethyl-β-D-glucosiduronic-acid as a metabolite of ethanol in rat and man. Eur J Pharmacol 1:63–70; 1967.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Jokelainen K., Nosova T., Väkeväinen S., Tilonen J., Salaspuro M.; Bacteriocolonic pathway for ethanol oxidation; Characteristics and induction during chronic alcohol consumption. Alcohol Alcoholism 32: 342; 1997.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kamil I. A., Smith J. N., Williams R. T.; A new aspect of ethanol metabolism: isolation of ethyl-glucuronide. Biochemical Journal 51: 32–33; 1952.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kozu T.; Gas chromatographic analysis of ethyl-β-D-glucuronide in human urine. Shinzu Igaku Zasshi 21:595–601; 1973.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Mallach H. J.; Konzentrationsverlauf im Blut: Pharmakokinetik. In Alkoholwirkung beim Menschen Mallach H. J, Hartmann H. and Schmidt V. Hrsg; Stuttgart-New York: Thieme Verlag, Stuttgart-New York; 1986: 13–34.

    Google Scholar 

  • Nishikawa M., Tsuchihashi H., Miki A., Katagi M., Schmitt G., Zimmer H., Keller Th., Aderjan R.; Determination of ethylglucuronide, a minor metabolite of ethanol, in human serum by liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization mass spectrometry. spectrometry J Chromatogr B 726: 105–110; 1999

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Neubauer O.; Ueber Glucuronsäurepaarung bei Stoffen der Fettreihe. Arch exp Path Pharmak 46: 133–154; 1901.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pragst F., Spiegel K, Sporkert F., Bohnenkamp M.; Are there possibilities for the detection of chronically elevated alcohol consumption by hair analysis? A report about the state of investigation. For Sci Int; 107: 201–223; 2000.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Roine R., Salaspuro M.; Marker für Alkoholismus und alkoholassoziierte Organschäden. In Handbuch Alkohol, Alkoholismus, Alkoholbedingte Organschäden. Scitz H. K., Lieber Ch. S., Simanowski U. A. Hrsg. Johann Ambrosius Barth, Leipzig-Heidelberg, 1995: 93–120.

    Google Scholar 

  • Russ A.; Ethylglucuronidausscheidung beim Menschen nach länger zurückliegendem Ethanolkonsum. Disertation zur Erlangnung des Doktorgrades der Medizin der Medizinischen Fakultät der Eberhard-Karls-Universität Tübingen, 1992.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sachs H.; Drogennachweis in Haaren. In Das Haar als Spur — Spuren in Haaren Kijewski H., Hrsg. Reasearch in Legal Medicine, Volume 16. Lübeck: Schmidt-Römhild; 1997: 119–135.

    Google Scholar 

  • Schmitt G., Aderjan R., Keller Th., Wu M.; Ethyl-Glucuronide: An unusual ethanol metabolite in humans. Synthesis, analytical data, and determination in serum and urine. J Anal Toxicol 19: 91–94; 1995.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Schmitt G., Drönner P., Aderjan R., Skopp G.; Blutprobe mit 1,44 ‰ Ethanol enthielt kein Ethylglucuronid — Fallbericht. Blutalkohol 34: 371–378; 1997a.

    Google Scholar 

  • Schmitt G., Droenner P., Skopp G., Aderjan R.; Ethyl glucuronide concentrations in serum of human volunteers, teetotalers, and suspected drinking drivers. J Forensic Sci 42: 1099–1102; 1997b.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Schmitt G., Aderjan R. E., Kirchner M., Zimmer H.; Enzymimmunoassy und GC/MS zur Bestimmung von Ethylglucuronid in Serum und Urin. Blutalkohol 35: 428–33; 1998.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Seidl S., Wurst F. M., Alt A.; Überprüfung einer Abstinenzbehauptung in der Fahreignungs-Oberbe-gutachtung mit Hilfe des Ethanolmetaboliten Ethylglucuronid (EtG). Blutalkohol 35: 174–182; 1998.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Seidl S., Wurst F. M., Alt A.; Der Einsatz des Ethanolmetaboliten Ethylglucuronid in der Fahreignungs-Oberbegutachtung. Tagungsband der 30. Jahrestagung der Deutschen Gesellschaft für Verkehrsmedizin e.V. 10.13.03.1999, Berlin. Berichte der Bundesanstalt für Strassenwesen, in Druck.

    Google Scholar 

  • Skopp G., Schmitt G., Drönner P., Aderjan R.; Trinkverhalten und Haaranalyse. T+K 62(1):46, 1995.

    Google Scholar 

  • Skopp G., Schmitt G., Pötsch L., Drönner P., Aderjan R., Mattern R.; Ethyl glucuronide in human hair. Alcohol 2000; 35: 283–285.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Spiegel K.; Untersuchungen zum Nachweis alkoholspezifisch metabolisierter Substanzen aus menschlichen Haaren mit Gaschromatographie-Massenspektrometrie. T+K 64(2): 58–62, 1997.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sticht G., Käferstein H., Staak M.; GC-MS-Bestimmung von Ethylglucuronid im Serum mit Propylglucuronid als internem Standard. Rechtsmedizin 7: 184–188; 1997.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Weinmann W. F.; Ethylglucuronid-Ausscheidung beim Menschen während der Resorptions- und frühen Postresorptionsphase nach Alkoholaufnahme. Dissertation zur Erlangnung des Doktorgrades der Medizin der Medizinischen Fakultät der Eberhard-Karls-Universität Tübingen, 1995.

    Google Scholar 

  • WHO/ISBRA study on biological state and trait markers of alcohol use and dependence: progress report. WHO/MSA/PSA/97.11:1–40; 1997.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wurst F. M., Scidl S., Sachs H., Besserer K., Hirsch M., Reinhardt G., Schüttler R.; Ethyl glucuronide — Evaluation of a new marker of alcoholism. Alcohol and Alcoholism 30: 560; 1995.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wurst F. M., Scidl S., Sachs H., Besserer K., Reinhardt G., Schüttler R.; Ethylglucuronid — Evaluation eines neuen Alkoholmarkers. Vortrag bei der 6.Jahrestagung der „Deutschen Gesellschaft für Biologische Psychiatrie” in München, Okt. 1994. In Aktuelle Perspektiven der Biologischen Psychiatrie Möller H.-J., Müller-Spahn F. and Kurtz G. Hrsg. Wien-New York: Springer; 1996: 378–380.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wurst F. M., Scidl S., Sachs H., Gilg T., Hirsch M., Reinhardt G., Schüttler R.; Ethyl glucuronide — Evaluation of a new marker of alcoholism and comparison to traditional alcohol markers. J Neurol 243: 24–25; 1996.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wurst F. M., Scidl S., Alt A.; Ethyl glucuronide — evaluation of a new marker of alcoholism by deuteri-ced standard. Alcohol Alcoholism 32: 327; 1997.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wurst F. M., Scidl S., Alt A.; Ethylglukuronid — Evaluation eines Single relapse markers. Nervenarzt 69: 84; 1998a.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wurst F. M., Scidl S., Alt A.; Ethyl glucuronide — a metabolite of alcohol with clinical and forensic implications. Alcoholism: Clin Exp Res 22/3 Suppl.:140A.; 1998b.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wurst F. M., Kempter Ch., Scidl S., Alt A.; Ethyl glucuronide — a marker of alcohol consumption and a relapse marker with clinical and forensic implications. Alcohol Alcoholism 34: 71–77; 1999a.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Wurst F. M., Schüttler R., Kempter Ch., Scidl S., Gilg Th., Jachau K., Alt A.; Can ethyl glucuronide be determined in postmortem body fluids and tissues? Alcohol Alcoholism 34/ 2: 260–261; 1999b.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wurst F. M., Kempter Ch., Metzger J., Scidl S., Alt A.; Der Ethanolmetabolit Ethylglucuronid — ein Marker für Alkoholkonsum. Psycho 25: 42–45; 1999c.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wurst F. M., Scidl S., Jachau K., Kempter Ch., Alt A.; Ethyl glucuronide — Determination of a marker of recent alcohol consumption with clinical and forensic implications in various body fluids and tissues. Alcohol Alcoholism 34/3: 446; 1999d.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wurst F. M., Kempter Ch., Metzger J., Scidl S., Alt A.; Ethyl glucuronide — a marker of recent alcohol consumption with clinical and forensic implications. Alcohol 20: 111–116; 2000.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Wurst F. M., Janda I., Metzger J., Scidl S., Alt A.; Ethyl glucuronide — new aspects of the marker of alcohol consumption. Alcoholism: Clin Exp Res 24/5 Suppl.:140A.; 2000.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wurst F.M., Metzger J. and the WHO/ISBRA study on biological state and trait markers of alcohol use and dependence. The direct ethanol metabolite ethyl glucuronide is a specific marker of recent alcohol consumption. Alcoholism: Clin Exp Res (submitted)

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Psychiatric University Hospital, University of Basel, Wilhelm Klein-Strasse 27, CH-4025, Basel, Switzerland

    Friedrich Martin Wurst

  2. Department of Hydrochemistry and Hydrobiology, University of Stuttgart, Germany

    Joerg Metzger

  3. Departments of Forensic Medicine, University of Magdeburg, Germany

    Katja Jachau

  4. Departments of Forensic Medicine, University of Erlangen, Germany

    Stephan Seidl

  5. Departments of Forensic Medicine, University of Ulm, Germany

    Ines Janda & Andreas Alt

  6. Mediagnost Inc., Reutlingen, Germany

    Friedrich Martin Wurst, Joerg Metzger, Katja Jachau, Stephan Seidl, Lutz Pridzun, Ines Janda & Andreas Alt

Authors
  1. Friedrich Martin Wurst
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Joerg Metzger
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Katja Jachau
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Stephan Seidl
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Lutz Pridzun
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. Ines Janda
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  7. Andreas Alt
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Psychiatric University Hospital, Wilhelm-Klein-Strasse 27, CH-4025, Basel, Switzerland

    Friedrich M. Wurst

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2001 Steinkopff Verlag Darmstadt

About this paper

Cite this paper

Wurst, F.M. et al. (2001). The direct ethanol metabolite ethyl glucuronide: A specific marker of recent alcohol consumption. In: Wurst, F.M. (eds) New and Upcoming Markers of Alcohol Consumption. Steinkopff. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-96008-6_5

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-96008-6_5

  • Publisher Name: Steinkopff

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-642-96010-9

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-642-96008-6

  • eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation