Measurement of the alcohol biomarker phosphatidylethanol (PEth) in dried blood spots and venous blood—importance of inhibition of post-sampling formation from ethanol
Open Access
- 15 February 2021
- journal article
- research article
- Published by Springer Science and Business Media LLC in Analytical and Bioanalytical Chemistry
- Vol. 413 (22), 5601-5606
- https://doi.org/10.1007/s00216-021-03211-z
Abstract
Phosphatidylethanol (PEth) is a group of phospholipids formed in cell membranes following alcohol consumption by action of the enzyme phospholipase D (PLD). PEth measurement in whole blood samples is established as a specific alcohol biomarker with clinical and forensic applications. However, in blood specimens containing ethanol, formation of PEth may continue after sampling leading to falsely elevated concentrations. This study evaluated the use of dried blood spot (DBS) and microsampling specimens to avoid post-sampling formation of PEth. Filter paper cards and three commercial devices for volumetric microsampling of finger-pricked blood were assessed, using PEth-negative and PEth-positive whole blood fortified with 2 g/L ethanol. PEth (16:0/18:1) was measured by LC–MS/MS. Post-sampling formation of PEth occurred in wet blood and in the volumetric devices, but not filter paper cards, when stored at room temperature for 48 h. Addition of an inhibitor of PLD, sodium metavanadate (NaVO3), eliminated post-sampling formation during storage and drying. In conclusion, the present study confirmed previous observations that PEth can be formed in blood samples after collection, if the specimen contains ethanol. The results further demonstrated that post-sampling formation of PEth from ethanol also occurred with commercial devices for volumetric dried blood microsampling. In order for a PEth result not to be questioned, it is recommended to use a PLD inhibitor, whether venous blood is collected in a vacutainer tube or finger-pricked blood is obtained using devices for dried blood microsampling. Graphical abstractKeywords
Funding Information
- Karolinska Institute
This publication has 45 references indexed in Scilit:
- Phosphatidylethanol in Blood as a Marker of Chronic Alcohol Use: A Systematic Review and Meta-AnalysisInternational Journal of Molecular Sciences, 2012
- Detection of Phosphatidylethanol (PEth) in the Blood of Drivers in an Alcohol Ignition Interlock ProgramTraffic Injury Prevention, 2011
- The detection of 1-palmitoyl-2-oleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphoethanol in human dried blood spotsAnalytical Methods, 2011
- Phosphatidylethanol in blood (B‐PEth): A marker for alcohol use and abuseDrug Testing and Analysis, 2011
- Identification of 48 homologues of phosphatidylethanol in blood by LC-ESI-MS/MSAnalytical and Bioanalytical Chemistry, 2010
- Molecular Species of the Alcohol Biomarker Phosphatidylethanol in Human Blood Measured by LC-MSClinical Chemistry, 2009
- Interpreting results of ethanol analysis in postmortem specimens: A review of the literatureForensic Science International, 2007
- PHOSPHATIDYLETHANOL (PEth) CONCENTRATIONS IN BLOOD ARE CORRELATED TO REPORTED ALCOHOL INTAKE IN ALCOHOL-DEPENDENT PATIENTSAlcohol and Alcoholism, 2006
- Phosphatidylethanol in Human Organs and Blood: A Study on Autopsy Material and Influences by Storage ConditionsAlcohol: Clinical and Experimental Research, 2004
- Formation of phosphatidylethanol in vitro in red blood cells from healthy volunteers and chronic alcoholicsJournal of Laboratory and Clinical Medicine, 2002