Phosphatidylethanols (PEth) are a group of phospholipids formed only in the presence of ethanol via the action of phospholipase D (PLD).
Phosphatidylethanol accumulates in blood and is removed slowly, making it a useful biomarker for alcohol consumption.
Phosphatidylethanol is a conjugate of Phosphatidylcholine and ethanol and it is present in red cell for several weeks after drinking.
The half-life is approximately 10 days, yielding a detection window for alcohol use of 3 to 5 weeks.
The levels of Phosphatidylethanol broadly correlate with the amount of alcohol consumed
PEth is also thought to contribute to the symptoms of alcohol intoxication.
PEth synthesis by phospholipase D (PLD):
The lipid accumulates in the human body and competes at agonists sites of lipid-gated ion channels contributing to alcohol intoxication.
Levels of phosphatidylethanols in blood are used as markers of previous alcohol consumption.
Levels of phosphatidylethanol has significant inter-personal variation, leading to potential misclassification between moderate and heavy drinkers.
After cessation of alcohol intake, the half-life of PEth is between 4.5 and 10 days in the first week and between 5 and 12 days in the second week.
PEth is more sensitive marker than carbohydrate deficient transferrin (CDT), urinary ethyl glucuronide (EtG) and ethyl sulfate (EtS).