PEth
PEth is a direct biomarker for alcohol consumption and is only produced in the presence of ethanol. This is in contrast to for example GGT (Gamma glutamyl transpeptidase) an indirector marker of alcohol use as a marker for liver inflammation that can be caused by dozens of drugs and also infections.
PEth testing
Capitainer enables accurate and patient-friendly self-sampling devices for a wide range of applications – including PEth testing for alcohol consumption monitoring.
Home-based sampling can enable more frequent testing and improve patient compliance, while supporting flexible care models beyond traditional clinical settings.
About
PEth (phosphatidylethanol) is found in red blood cells and is an abnormal phospholipid that is formed in the presence of ethanol. It is formed via a transphosphatidylation reaction of phospholipase D (PLD). PEth accumulates with frequent alcohol consumption with a half-life of approximately 4 days. Therefore, PEth is a biomarker for long term alcohol use.
In blood that contains ethanol at sampling, PEth may continue to form after sampling [2]. This may lead to falsely elevated PEth concentrations. This is a well described phenomenon in venous blood samples were storage temperature and shipping conditions need to be controlled in order to limitit In Vitro formation. However, the formation of PEth can be stopped through inhibiting the PLD activity. Sodium metavanadate (NaVO3) is an effective PLD inhibitor.
We recommend reading the full publication of Beck et al. [1] for more details regarding the advantages with Capitainer®B Vanadate in PEth analysis.
Schröck A, Henzi A, Bütikofer P, König S, Weinmann W. Determination of the formation rate of phosphatidylethanol by phospholipase D (PLD) in blood and test of two selective PLD inhibitors. Alcohol. 2018 Dec;73:1-7. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.alcohol.2018.03.003
Beck, O., Mellring, M., Löwbeer, C. et al. Measurement of the alcohol biomarker phosphatidylethanol (PEth) in dried blood spots and venous blood—importance of inhibition of post-sampling formation from ethanol. Anal Bioanal Chem 413, 5601–5606 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00216-021-03211-z
Capitainer®B10Vanadate
Capitainer®B10Vanadate is a next generation dried blood spot sampling solution that is empowering laboratories across the world to provide fast and accurate PEth testing services.
Capitainer®B10Vanadate is based on our accurate and reliable technology. In addition, it incorporates our proprietary technology for integrating the phospholipase D (PLD) inhibitor sodium metavanadate (NaVO3) in the paper disc.
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