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Fatty acid ethyl esters: recent observations
Michael Laposata1, Ali Hasaba, Catherine A Best
1Department of Pathology, Division of Laboratory Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114, USA. mlaposata@partners.org
Prostaglandins, Leukotrienes, and Essential Fatty Acids
|September 27, 2002
Summary
Fatty acid ethyl esters (FAEE) are markers of ethanol intake and can cause cell injury. Ethyl oleate levels may help distinguish chronic alcoholics from binge drinkers.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Toxicology
- Cardiology
Background:
- Fatty acid ethyl esters (FAEE) are formed from fatty acids and ethanol.
- FAEE are mediators of ethanol-induced cell injury.
- FAEE presence in blood and tissues indicates ethanol consumption.
Purpose of the Study:
- Investigate FAEE generation during cardiac ablation.
- Explore the role of FAEE in myocyte death during cardiac procedures.
- Assess the utility of ethyl oleate levels in differentiating alcohol consumption patterns.
Main Methods:
- Ethanol infusion protocols similar to myocardial ablation.
- Analysis of FAEE production in cardiac tissue.
- Measurement of serum ethyl oleate concentrations.
Main Results:
- FAEE are rapidly produced within seconds of ethanol infusion into the heart.
- Toxic FAEE generation is a potential mechanism for myocyte death in cardiac ablation.
- Chronic alcoholics exhibit high concentrations of ethyl oleate.
Conclusions:
- FAEE play a role in ethanol-induced cardiac injury.
- Serum ethyl oleate concentration can differentiate chronic alcoholics from binge drinkers.