Biomarkers of the alcohol hangover state: Ethyl glucuronide (EtG) and ethyl sulfate (EtS)
Publication date
2017-09
Authors
Mackus, Marlou
van de Loo, A.J.A.E.
Raasveld, S. Jorinde
Hogewoning, Anna
Toraño, Javier Sastre
Flesch, Frits M.
Korte-Bouws, Gerdien A H
van Neer, Renier H P
Wang, Xiaochun
Nguyen, Thomas T
Editors
Advisors
Supervisors
Document Type
Article
Metadata
Show full item recordCollections
License
Abstract
INTRODUCTION: The aim of this study was to investigate the usefulness of ethyl glucuronide (EtG) and ethyl sulfate (EtS) as biomarkers of the hangover state. METHODS: Thirty-sixhealthy social drinkers participated in this study, being of naturalistic design. Eighteen participants experience regular hangovers (the hangover group), whereas the other 18 claim to not experience a hangover (the hangover-immune group). On a control day (alcohol-free) day and a post-alcohol day, urine EtG and EtS concentrations were determined and hangover severity assessed. RESULTS: Urinary EtG and EtS concentrations were significantly increased on post-alcohol day compared to the control day (p = .0001). Both EtG and EtS concentrations did not significantly correlate with the overall hangover score, nor with the estimated peak blood alcohol concentrations and number of alcoholic drinks. EtG correlated significantly only with the individual hangover symptom "headache" (p = .033; r = .403). No significant correlations were found with the EtG to EtS ratio. EtG and EtS concentrations significantly correlated with urine ethanol concentrations. CONCLUSIONS: Although urine EtG and EtS concentration did not significantly correlate to estimated peak blood alcohol concentrations or the number of alcoholic drinks consumed, a significant correlation was found with urine ethanol concentration. However, urine EtG and EtS concentrations did not significantly correlate with overall hangover severity.
Keywords
alcohol, biomarker, EtG, ethanol, EtS, hangover, ethyl glucuronide, ethyl sulfate, sulfate, unclassified drug, adult, alcohol blood level, alcohol consumption, alcoholic beverage, alcoholism, article, clinical article, comparative study, controlled study, disease association, disease severity, female, headache, human, kidney concentrating capacity, male, outcome assessment, personal experience, priority journal, symptom, urinalysis, urine sampling, SDG 3 - Good Health and Well-being
Citation
Mackus, M, van de Loo, A J A E, Raasveld, S J, Hogewoning, A, Sastre Toraño, J, Flesch, F M, Korte-Bouws, G A H, van Neer, R H P, Wang, X, Nguyen, T T, Brookhuis, K A, Kraneveld, A D, Garssen, J & Verster, J C 2017, 'Biomarkers of the alcohol hangover state : Ethyl glucuronide (EtG) and ethyl sulfate (EtS)', Human Psychopharmacology, vol. 32, no. 5, 2624. https://doi.org/10.1002/hup.2624