Critical Review
Applications and Challenges for the Use of Phosphatidylethanol Testing in Liver Disease Patients (Mini Review)
Van Long Nguyen,
Paul S. Haber,
Devanshi Seth,
Van Long Nguyen
Department of Chemical Pathology, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Camperdown, New South Wales, Australia
Faculty of Medicine, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
Search for more papers by this authorPaul S. Haber
Faculty of Medicine, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
Drug Health Services, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Camperdown, New South Wales, Australia
Search for more papers by this authorCorresponding Author
Devanshi Seth
Faculty of Medicine, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
Drug Health Services, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Camperdown, New South Wales, Australia
Centenary Institute of Cancer Medicine and Cell Biology, Camperdown, New South Wales, Australia
Reprint requests: Devanshi Seth, PhD, MPH, MSc, BSc (Hons), Centenary Institute and DHS, RPAH, 93, Missenden Road, Camperdown, NSW 2050, Australia; Tel.: +61 295157201; Fax: +61 2 9515 5779; Email: [email protected]Search for more papers by this authorVan Long Nguyen,
Paul S. Haber,
Devanshi Seth,
Van Long Nguyen
Department of Chemical Pathology, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Camperdown, New South Wales, Australia
Faculty of Medicine, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
Search for more papers by this authorPaul S. Haber
Faculty of Medicine, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
Drug Health Services, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Camperdown, New South Wales, Australia
Search for more papers by this authorCorresponding Author
Devanshi Seth
Faculty of Medicine, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
Drug Health Services, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Camperdown, New South Wales, Australia
Centenary Institute of Cancer Medicine and Cell Biology, Camperdown, New South Wales, Australia
Reprint requests: Devanshi Seth, PhD, MPH, MSc, BSc (Hons), Centenary Institute and DHS, RPAH, 93, Missenden Road, Camperdown, NSW 2050, Australia; Tel.: +61 295157201; Fax: +61 2 9515 5779; Email: [email protected]Search for more papers by this authorAbstract
Phosphatidylethanol (PEth) is a direct nonoxidative metabolite of ethanol that may be measured in clinical samples as a marker for monitoring alcohol consumption. It has been used in a wide variety of clinical and nonclinical settings; however, its investigation in relation to liver disease has been limited. This study aims at providing a short review on the applications and challenges for the incorporation of PEth testing in identifying alcohol intake in this patient population.
Graphical Abstract
Proposed hypothetical model of enhanced PEth formation in advanced liver disease. As liver disease progresses, the enzymatic activity of alcohol dehydrogenase and aldehyde dehydrogenase is decreased [1]. As a consequence oxidative metabolism of ethanol may be impaired yielding higher blood ethanol levels being shunted towards non-oxidative PEth pathway via phospholipase D (PLD) [2]. PLD has a greater affinity for ethanol than its usual substrate phosphatidylcholine [3], suggesting the possibility of intrinsic PEth formation in erythrocytes [4].
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