Influence of Gilbert's syndrome on the formation of ethyl glucuronide

Int J Legal Med. 2015 Sep;129(5):1005-10. doi: 10.1007/s00414-015-1157-7. Epub 2015 Feb 14.

Abstract

A drinking experiment with participants suffering from Gilbert's syndrome was performed to study the possible influence of this glucuronidation disorder on the formation of ethyl glucuronide (EtG). Gilbert's syndrome is a rather common and, in most cases, asymptomatic congenital metabolic aberration with a prevalence of about 5 %. It is characterized by a reduction of the enzyme activity of the uridine diphosphate glucuronosyltransferase (UGT) isoform 1A1 up to 80 %. One of the glucuronidation products is EtG, which is formed in the organism following exposure to ethanol. EtG is used as a short-term marker for ethyl alcohol consumption to prove abstinence in various settings. After 2 days of abstinence from ethanol and giving a void urine sample, 30 study participants drank 0.1 L of sparkling wine (9 g ethanol). 3, 6, 12, and 24 h after drinking, urine samples were collected. 3 hours after drinking, an additional blood sample was taken, in which liver enzyme activities, ethanol, hematological parameters, and bilirubin were measured. EtG and ethyl sulfate (EtS), another short-term marker of ethanol consumption, were determined in the urine samples using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS); creatinine was measured photometrically. In all participants, EtG and EtS were detected in concentrations showing a wide range (EtG: 3 h sample 0.5-18.43 mg/L and 6 h sample 0.67-13.8 mg/L; EtS: 3 h sample 0.87-6.87 mg/L and 6 h sample 0.29-4.48 mg/L). No evidence of impaired EtG formation was found. Thus, EtG seems to be a suitable marker for ethanol consumption even in individuals with Gilbert's syndrome.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Alcohol Drinking
  • Biomarkers / urine
  • Central Nervous System Depressants / blood
  • Central Nervous System Depressants / pharmacokinetics*
  • Chromatography, Liquid
  • Ethanol / blood
  • Ethanol / pharmacokinetics*
  • Female
  • Gilbert Disease / metabolism*
  • Glucuronates / urine*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Sulfuric Acid Esters / urine
  • Tandem Mass Spectrometry
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • Biomarkers
  • Central Nervous System Depressants
  • Glucuronates
  • Sulfuric Acid Esters
  • ethyl glucuronide
  • Ethanol
  • diethyl sulfate