title: Segmental determination of ethyl glucuronide in hair: a pilot study.
abstract: Ethyl glucuronide (EtG) is a minor metabolite of ethanol. Its detection in hair is more and more studied in both clinical and forensic context for the purpose of alcohol abuse monitoring. In this pilot study, hair specimens from 15 patients included in a treatment program after alcohol abuse cessation, were segmented and analyzed for EtG. The results were then compared to their self-reported past alcohol consumption and to their blood biomarkers values (GGT, MCV, ASAT, ALAT). EtG concentrations measured in hair varied from 8 to 261 pg/mg. The pattern of EtG concentration detected in the different hair segments matched with the drinking history of patients, displaying variations (increase and decrease) in alcohol consumption and also time of cessation. Results also demonstrated the existence of a significant correlation (r(p)=0.5357; p=0.0390) between EtG concentration in hair and the amount of alcohol intake. Variations in the EtG concentrations with respect to hair segments may provide an overview of the drinking history of patients. Moreover, EtG concentration in hair may help to estimate the daily alcohol intake.
authors.affiliation: Centre de Recherche Public-Santé/Laboratoire National de Santé, Laboratoire de Toxicologie, Université du Luxembourg, Campus Limpertsberg, 162a, avenue de la Faïencerie, L-1511 Luxembourg. appenzel@lns.etat.lu
authors.forename: Brice M R
authors.initials: BM
authors.lastname: Appenzeller
authors.forename: Resmi
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Agirman
authors.forename: Paul
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Neuberg
authors.forename: Michel
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Yegles
authors.forename: Robert
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Wennig
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000410:Alanine Transaminase / Q000097:blood; D000437:Alcoholism / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000378:metabolism*; D001219:Aspartate Aminotransferases / Q000097:blood; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D053593:Forensic Toxicology; D008401:Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry; D005965:Glucuronates / Q000378:metabolism*; D006197:Hair / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010865:Pilot Projects; D015813:Substance Abuse Detection / Q000379:methods*; D005723:gamma-Glutamyltransferase / Q000097:blood
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D005965:Glucuronates; C093924:ethyl glucuronide; D005723:gamma-Glutamyltransferase; D001219:Aspartate Aminotransferases; D000410:Alanine Transaminase