Comparison of Urinary Excretion Characteristics of Ethanol and Ethyl Glucuronide

Authors: Dahl H.¹; Stephanson N.²; Beck O.²; Helander A.³

Source: Journal of Analytical Toxicology, Volume 26, Number 4, May/June 2002 , pp. 201-204(4)

Publisher: Preston Publications

Abstract:

This study compared the urinary excretion characteristics of ethyl glucuronide (EtG) with that of ethanol, with focus on the effect of water-induced diuresis. Six healthy volunteers ingested an ethanol dose of 0.5 g/kg (range 25.0–41.5 g) as 5% (v/v) beer in 30 min and the same volume of water after 3 h. Urine collections were made before starting the experiment and at timed intervals over 31.5 h. The concentration of EtG was determined by an LC–MS method (LOQ = 0.1 mg/L). The urine samples collected immediately before starting drinking were all negative for ethanol and EtG, thus confirming that the participants had not recently ingested alcohol. Intake of beer resulted in a marked increase in excreted urine volume and a concomitant drop in creatinine concentration. The concentration of ethanol peaked at a mean value of 17 mmol/L in the 1.5-h urine collection. Except for one subject, EtG was first detectable (range 0.9–5.5 mg/L) at 1 h. Intake of water at 3 h produced another increase in urine volume and a drop in creatinine. The ethanol concentration curve was not influenced by the water diuresis, whereas this caused a distinct drop in the EtG concentration. When EtG was expressed relative to the creatinine value, this ratio was seemingly not affected by the intake of water. The ethanol concentration returned to zero at 6.5 h, whereas EtG was still detectable for up to 22.5–31.5 h, albeit at low levels in the end (< 1 mg/L). Only about 0.02% of the administered dose of ethanol (on a molar basis) was recovered in the urine as EtG. The results demonstrated that EtG remains detectable in the urine for many hours after the ethanol itself has been eliminated. Moreover, it was possible to lower the concentration of EtG by drinking large amounts of water prior to voiding, whereas this strategy did not influence the EtG/creatinine ratio or the concentration of ethanol.

Language: English

Document Type:

Affiliations: 1: Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institute and Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden 2: Department of Clinical Pharmacology, Karolinska Institute and Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden 3: Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institute and Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden, Correspondence Adress: Dr. Anders Helander, Alcohol Laboratory, L7:03, Karolinska Hospital, SE-171 76 Stockholm, Sweden

Publication date: 2002-05-01

• The Journal of Analytical Toxicology (JAT), established in 1977 and published 9 times a year, is the international source covering a broad range of clinical, forensic, and industrial laboratory topics regarding the isolation, identification, and quantitation of potentially toxic substances.

  With an emphasis on practical application, JAT articles provide improved and novel techniques for use in clinical, forensic, workplace, sports testing (doping), and other toxicology laboratories. Articles describe newly developed methods in immunoassay testing, gas chromatography, liquid chromatography, mass spectrometry, atomic absorption spectrometry, solid and liquid phase extraction techniques, and other analytical approaches. Worldwide readership includes toxicologists, pathologists, chemists, clinicians, researchers, and educators working in medical examiner and law enforcement laboratories, hospitals, university and independent analytical laboratories, as well as the drug manufacturing industry.

  Each year in October, we publish a special issue from the Society of Forensic Toxicologists.

  JAT, as determined by ISI Citation Index, is one of the two most referenced international journals in forensic science.

• Subscribe to this Title
• ingentaconnect is not responsible for the content or availability of external websites

• In this: publication
• By this: publisher
• In this Subject: Ecology ,  Toxicology
• By this author: Dahl H. ;  Stephanson N. ;  Beck O. ;  Helander A.

Website © Publishing Technology. Article copyright remains with the publisher, society or author(s) as specified within the article.

• Terms and conditions
• Privacy policy
• Information for advertisers