Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Nadine Aboutara, Hilke Jungen, Anne Szewczyk, Alexander Mueller, Stefanie Iwersen-Bergmann
Summary: Phosphatidylethanol (PEth) is a widely recognized direct alcohol biomarker used to monitor individuals' drinking behavior in clinical and forensic settings. This study investigated the stability of six PEth homologues stored in authentic samples of EDTA blood at room temperature over a 30-day period. The results showed that overall concentration declines were highly variable, with some samples experiencing significant declines in concentration. It was concluded that transportation and storage times should be minimized, and if analyzing from dried blood, sampling should preferably be conducted at the site.
DRUG TESTING AND ANALYSIS
(2023)
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Nadine Aboutara, Hilke Jungen, Anne Szewczyk, Alexander Mueller, Stefanie Iwersen-Bergmann
Summary: Phosphatidylethanol in blood is a recognized biomarker for alcohol consumption, but there is no consensus on the cutoffs for differentiating abstinence from consumption. This study found that analyzing both PEth 16:0/18:2 and 16:0/18:1 is advantageous for detecting low to medium amounts of alcohol consumption. The response rates of PEth to alcohol uptake vary among individuals.
DRUG TESTING AND ANALYSIS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Sangeeta Pandey, Yanyang Hu, Peter L. Anderson, Jennifer J. Kiser, R. Graham Cooks
Summary: We validate the concept of point-of-care assessment of long-term alcohol consumption by measuring phosphatidylethanol in blood/dried blood spots using nano-electrospray ionization and MS/MS with a miniature mass spectrometer. The levels of "abstinence", "moderate", and "chronic" consumption can be rapidly distinguished for both sample types, and quantitative analysis is achieved with blood samples (LoQ-100 ng mL(-1)).
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Ragnhild Bergene Skrastad, Olav Spigset, Trond Oskar Aamo, Trine Naalsund Andreassen
Summary: Phosphatidylethanol (PEth) 16:0/18:1 has gained popularity as a marker for high alcohol consumption, with studies showing it remains stable in whole blood samples for up to 28 days, regardless of storage temperature. For long-term storage, samples should be stored at -80 degrees C to maintain stability.
JOURNAL OF ANALYTICAL TOXICOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Medicine, Legal
Nadine Aboutara, Alexander Mueller, Hilke Jungen, Anne Szewczyk, Victoria van Ruth, Franziska Bertram, Klaus Puschel, Fabian Heinrich, Stefanie Iwersen-Bergmann
Summary: In a cohort of individuals with suspected high alcohol consumption, the study found that PEth was more sensitive for excessive alcohol consumption compared to CDT. Through blood sample analysis and consideration of subjective alcohol consumption behavior, PEth was confirmed to have higher sensitivity for detecting excessive alcohol consumption.
FORENSIC SCIENCE INTERNATIONAL
(2022)
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Lana M. Salah, Lane R. Bushman, Kristina M. Brooks, Peter L. Anderson, Jennifer J. Kiser
Summary: Phosphatidylethanol (PEth) is a detectable phospholipid in red blood cells that only appears after alcohol consumption. PEth 16:0/18:1, the primary PEth analog, has a long half-life in red cells, allowing for a wide detection window and potential for measuring cumulative alcohol intake. We developed and validated an LC/MS-MS method to quantify PEth 16:0/18:1 in dried blood spots (DBS) for clinical research. This method expands on previous published methods by considering factors specific to DBS, such as sample hematocrit, punch location, and spot volume. The method was successfully used to quantify PEth in participant samples.
JOURNAL OF CHROMATOGRAPHY B-ANALYTICAL TECHNOLOGIES IN THE BIOMEDICAL AND LIFE SCIENCES
(2023)
Review
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Asif Surani, Ty B. Carroll, Bradley R. Javorsky, Hershel Raff, James W. Findling
Summary: Alcohol-induced hypercortisolism (AIH) is often misdiagnosed as neoplastic hypercortisolism (Cushing syndrome), leading to difficulties in accurate diagnosis. A chart review of eight patients showed that AIH shares similar clinical features with neoplastic hypercortisolism, but there are certain characteristics that can help differentiate the two conditions.
FRONTIERS IN ENDOCRINOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Substance Abuse
Katleen Van Uytfanghe, Liesl Heughebaert, Emmanuel Abatih, Christophe P. Stove
Summary: The aim of this study was to validate whether alcohol abstinence can be determined based on two consecutive PEth results above the decision limit.
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Marisa Maria, Nuno R. Neng, Thomas Berg
Summary: This study developed and validated an accurate and precise LC-MS/MS method for the determination of six PEth homologues in whole blood. The method is important for predicting different drinking patterns and has potential in assessing alcohol-related risks.
JOURNAL OF CHROMATOGRAPHY A
(2023)
Article
Substance Abuse
Julianne D. D. Jett, Rachael Beck, Diana Tyutyunnyk, Jesus Sanchez, Marisa Lopez-Cruzan, Brett C. C. Ginsburg, Sterling M. M. McPherson, Martin A. A. Javors, Michael G. G. McDonell, Nathalie Hill-Kapturczak
Summary: This study validates the measurement of PEth using the TASSO-M20 device and describes its use for blood self-collection during a virtual intervention. The results show that PEth concentrations from dried blood on TASSO-M20 plugs are correlated with those from liquid whole blood and dried blood spot cards. The changes in PEth levels and uEtG concentrations in the contingency management participant are consistent with self-reported alcohol use.
ALCOHOL-CLINICAL AND EXPERIMENTAL RESEARCH
(2023)
Review
Gastroenterology & Hepatology
Akshay Shetty, Sergio De La Torre, Brittney Ibrahim, Andrew Hong, Julio Meza, Sammy Saab
Summary: Alcohol-related liver disease has increased over the past 20 years, leading to a greater need for accurate assessment of alcohol use. Poor outcomes have been associated with alcohol use in both pre-liver transplant and post-liver transplant patients. Patients with alcohol use disorder often underestimate their alcohol consumption, highlighting the importance of objective assessment. Multiple serologic biomarkers are available to assist clinicians in assessing recent alcohol consumption, and this review evaluates their strengths and weaknesses in the pre-liver transplant and post-liver transplant population.
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL GASTROENTEROLOGY
(2023)
Article
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Anders Helander, Therese Hansson
Summary: Phosphatidylethanol (PEth) is a sensitive and specific alcohol biomarker that accumulates in the blood during repeated ethanol exposure and is slowly eliminated during abstinence. Its use has significantly increased over the past decade. In Sweden, routine limits and interpretation of PEth test results were harmonized, and an external quality assessment scheme for PEth measurement was initiated. PEth values below the reporting limit indicate sobriety or low alcohol consumption, while values above 0.30 μmol/L typically indicate regular high alcohol intake.
SCANDINAVIAN JOURNAL OF CLINICAL & LABORATORY INVESTIGATION
(2023)
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Marisa Henriques Maria, Benedicte Marie Jorgenrud, Thomas Berg
Summary: Phosphatidylethanols (PEths) are specific alcohol biomarkers that have a longer half-life than ethanol and can differentiate between heavy and social drinking. However, isolating PEths from unwanted phospholipids during sample preparation can be challenging. This study investigates the retention and chromatographic separation of eight PEth homologues and the phospholipid background using different LC columns and mobile phase compositions, providing valuable insights for the development of reliable LC-MS/MS methods for PEth homologue determination.
JOURNAL OF CHROMATOGRAPHY A
(2022)
Article
Psychiatry
Trine Finanger, Arne Einar Vaaler, Olav Spigset, Trond Oskar Aamo, Trine Naalsund Andreassen, Rolf Wilhelm Grawe, Ragnhild Bergene Skrastad
Summary: This study aimed to investigate the ability of the alcohol biomarker PEth to identify patients with high levels of alcohol consumption prior to admission to a psychiatric acute department. The results showed that PEth provides supplementary information on alcohol consumption, particularly in patients unable or unwilling to provide such information.
Article
Medical Laboratory Technology
Nadine Aboutara, Anne Szewczyk, Hilke Jungen, Amadea Mosebach, Maria Rodriguez Lago, Eik Vettorazzi, Stefanie Iwersen-Bergmann, Alexander Mueller, Martina Sterneck
Summary: Despite the rather poor overall sensitivity of alcohol biomarkers in this study, PEth showed best sensitivity for all time periods of alcohol consumption. With the addition of PEth 16:0/18:1, sensitivity increased to 59%, indicating its potential as a reliable alcohol biomarker. The study also found that the specificity of PEth was consistently high, indicating its accuracy in detecting alcohol consumption.
CLINICA CHIMICA ACTA
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Richard Bade, Jason M. White, Maulik Ghetia, Santosh Adiraju, Sangeet Adhikari, Lubertus Bijlsma, Tim Boogaerts, Daniel A. Burgard, Sara Castiglioni, Alberto Celma, Andrew Chappell, Adrian Covaci, Erin M. Driver, Rolf U. Halden, Felix Hernandez, Heon-Jun Lee, Alexander L. N. van Nuijs, Jeong-Eun Oh, Marco A. Pineda Castro, Noelia Salgueiro-Gonzalez, Bikram Subedi, Xue-Ting Shao, Viviane Yargeau, Ettore Zuccato, Cobus Gerber
Summary: This study focused on 28 NPS stimulants and detected 11 of them, with eutylone and 3-methylmethcathinone (3MMC) being the most commonly found and with the highest mass loads, indicating international popularity. Older generation stimulants like para-methoxyamphetamine (PMA), methylone, and mephedrone were also detected, showing the dynamic nature of the NPS market. Areas in New Zealand were found to have the highest loads of NPS stimulant consumption, demonstrating the potential public health risks associated with these substances.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY LETTERS
(2022)
Article
Medicine, Legal
Louise Vermeulen, Alexander L. N. van Nuijs, Cleo L. Crunelle, Werner Jacobs, Hugo Neels
Summary: This study compares the EtG concentration in hair and fingernails of teetotalers and proposes a cut-off value for EtG in fingernails for alcohol abstinence. The results suggest that the cut-off value for alcohol abstinence may be lower than the previously suggested concentrations.
FORENSIC SCIENCE INTERNATIONAL
(2022)
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Maarten Degreef, Eleanor M. Berry, Adrian Covaci, Kristof E. K. Maudens, Alexander L. N. van Nuijs
Summary: This study compares two easy-to-use screening methods for routine toxicological analysis. After analyzing 105 medico-legal case samples, it was found that both methods are effective for screening most compounds in toxicological analysis. The semi-quantitative analysis using the tMRM method with a small number of labeled internal standards yielded excellent results, while the semi-quantitative analysis using the QTOF method was more time-consuming.
JOURNAL OF CHROMATOGRAPHY B-ANALYTICAL TECHNOLOGIES IN THE BIOMEDICAL AND LIFE SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Olivier Mortele, Basil Britto Xavier, Christine Lammens, Surbhi Malhotra-Kumar, Philippe G. Jorens, Eveline Dirinck, Alexander L. N. van Nuijs, Nina Hermans
Summary: Obesity is associated with dysbiosis of the gut microbiome, which affects the microbiotic biotransformation of xenobiotics. Differences in gut microbiome composition, bacterial concentration, and metabolic activity were observed between lean and obese populations. The obese gut microbiome showed weaker biotransformation ability for chlorogenic acid, leading to its persistence in the body. The lean population produced a greater number of biotransformation products.
JOURNAL OF PHARMACEUTICAL AND BIOMEDICAL ANALYSIS
(2022)
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Elias Iturrospe, Katyeny Manuela da Silva, Rani Robeyns, Maria van de Lavoir, Joost Boeckmans, Tamara Vanhaecke, Alexander L. N. van Nuijs, Adrian Covaci
Summary: Alcoholic liver disease is a common but poorly understood condition. This study investigated the metabolic alterations in HepaRG cells exposed to ethanol, identifying distinctive patterns between exposed and control cells. The study also observed potential biomarkers of ethanol-induced hepatotoxicity. These findings contribute to our understanding of the pathophysiology behind alcoholic liver disease.
JOURNAL OF PROTEOME RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Celine Gys, Olivier Mortele, Babette van Rafelghem, Eleanor Berry, Alexander L. N. van Nuijs, Willy Lambert, Werner Jacobs, Sofie Schouwers, Anissa Meskal, Ellen Van Hemeldonck, Luc Heytens, Hugo Neels, Adrian Covaci
Summary: This article presents two cases of attempted suicide by self-administered overdose with the antiretroviral medicine Genvoya (R), leading to loss of consciousness, lactic acidosis, elevated hepatic transaminase levels, and hemodynamic instability. While the measured drug concentrations were similar, the fatal case had more severe metabolic acidosis.
JOURNAL OF ANALYTICAL TOXICOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Katyeny Manuela da Silva, Elias Iturrospe, Rik van den Boom, Maria van de Lavoir, Rani Robeyns, Lucia Vergauwen, Dries Knapen, Matthias Cuykx, Adrian Covaci, Alexander L. N. van Nuijs
Summary: Lipidomics analysis of zebrafish tissues using liquid chromatography-high resolution mass spectrometry provides insights into disease-related outcomes of exposure to toxic substances. Dilution of lipid extracts impacts the number of high-quality features, and retention time mapping is valuable for filtering lipid annotations.
JOURNAL OF SEPARATION SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Tim Boogaerts, Maarten Quireyns, Florence Maes, Maria Laimou-Geraniou, Natan Van Wichelen, Ester Heath, Bram Pussig, Bert Aertgeerts, Adrian Covaci, Alexander L. N. van Nuijs
Summary: Wastewater-based epidemiology analyzes biomarkers in wastewater to gain evidence-based information about various lifestyles and health aspects of a population. Due to the complexity and trace level occurrence of biomarkers in wastewater, sensitive analytical procedures are crucial. To improve its value, more compounds, locations, and samples need to be analyzed.
DRUG TESTING AND ANALYSIS
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Da-Hye Kim, Yunsun Jeong, Lidia Belova, Maarten Roggeman, Sandra F. Fernandez, Giulia Poma, Sylvie Remy, Veerle J. Verheyen, Greet Schoeters, Alexander L. N. van Nuijs, Adrian Covaci
Summary: This study investigated the exposure to persistent and mobile chemicals (PMs) and per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in urine samples of Flemish adolescents. Several PMs and PFAS were identified in the samples, with differences in detection rate between sexes. The findings can be valuable for future human biomonitoring programs.
ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Yunsun Jeong, Katyeny Manuela Da Silva, Elias Iturrospe, Yukiko Fuiji, Tim Boogaerts, Alexander L. N. van Nuijs, Jeremy Koelmel, Adrian Covaci
Summary: With the increasing concern over the health risks of PFAS, the identification and investigation of these substances is of great importance. This study conducted a comprehensive investigation of both legacy and emerging PFAS in wastewater treatment plants in Belgium, using various screening methods. The results revealed the presence of different types of PFAS compounds in different locations, with Deurne wastewater treatment plant and its surrounding area showing a higher risk of PFAS exposure.
JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Ruud Steenbeek, Erik Emke, Dennis Vughs, Joao Matias, Tim Boogaerts, Sara Castiglioni, Marina Campos-Manas, Adrian Covaci, Pim de Voogt, Thomas ter Laak, Felix Hernandez, Noelia Salgueiro-Gonzalez, Wim G. Meijer, Mario J. Dias, Susana Simoes, Alexander L. N. van Nuijs, Lubertus Bijlsma, Frederic Been
Summary: This study assessed crack cocaine use on a broad scale, both temporal and in cities across Europe, using wastewater-based epidemiology. The results highlight the importance of monitoring community loads of crack cocaine use.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2022)
Article
Toxicology
Elias Iturrospe, Rani Robeyns, Katyeny Manuela da Silva, Maria van de Lavoir, Joost Boeckmans, Tamara Vanhaecke, Alexander L. N. van Nuijs, Adrian Covaci
Summary: Despite being common, alcoholic liver disease remains poorly understood, especially in its early stages. In this study, alcoholic steatohepatitis was simulated in vitro to investigate the metabolic alterations and identify affected pathways. The researchers discovered key findings, such as the influence of TNF-alpha on hepatic triglycerides and the detection of FAHFA-containing triglycerides in human hepatocytes, which may play an important role in the progression of alcoholic steatohepatitis. Additionally, ethoxylated phosphorylcholine was identified as a potential new biomarker of ethanol exposure.
ARCHIVES OF TOXICOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Maria van de Lavoir, Katyeny Manuela da Silva, Elias Iturrospe, Rani Robeyns, Alexander L. N. van Nuijs, Adrian Covaci
Summary: Lipidomics is a method for investigating the composition and function of lipids, usually using blood or tissue samples. Recently, hair has emerged as a potential sample type for identifying biomarkers in early disease stages and retrospectively documenting metabolic status. This study evaluated the lipid coverage of hair using different extraction methods and found that the applied lipidomics workflow improved hair lipid coverage, with several lipids reported for the first time. The study suggests that hair is a valuable matrix for clinical, forensic, and dermatological research.
ANALYTICAL AND BIOANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Katyeny Manuela da Silva, Michele Woelk, Palina Nepachalovich, Elias Iturrospe, Adrian Covaci, Alexander L. N. van Nuijs, Maria Fedorova
Summary: Epilipids, a subset of the lipidome, play a crucial role in regulating redox lipid metabolism and influencing cell fate decisions. Ion mobility spectrometry (IMS) combined with liquid chromatography-high-resolution mass spectrometry (LC-HRMS) can improve the peak capacity and separation ability for the analysis of oxidized complex lipids. This study demonstrates the advantages and limitations of implementing IMS in LC-HRMS workflows and provides insights into the annotation of oxidized complex lipids.
ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY
(2023)
Article
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Katyeny Manuela da Silva, Maria van de Lavoir, Rani Robeyns, Elias Iturrospe, Lisa Verheggen, Adrian Covaci, Alexander L. N. van Nuijs
Summary: Feature annotation is important in untargeted metabolomics but poses challenges. This paper presents an easy-to-use workflow for creating an in-house metabolite library and discusses the challenges and advantages of using open-source software.
