Blood levels of phosphatidylethanol in pregnant women reporting positive alcohol ingestion, measured by an improved LC-MS/MS analytical method

Abstract

Objective. A reliable biomarker of low alcohol exposure during pregnancy is needed to clarify the controversy on the teratogenicity of low-to-moderate alcohol levels. Methods. Blood samples were obtained from 13 pregnant women who self-reported alcohol ingestion between 2.5 and 20 drinks/week, and from 26 controls. Total lipids were extracted, and phosphatidylethanol (PEth) species 16:0/16:0, 16:0/18:1, and 16:0/18:1 were separated by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) on a reverse-phase phenyl column. These PEth species were quantified by MS/MS using phosphatidylpropanol as internal standard, with electrospray ionization and MRM. Results. PEth species were not detected in women who abstained from alcohol ingestion during pregnancy, whereas PEth-16:0/18:1 was > 5 nmol/L in those with positive alcohol ingestion. PEth species were detected for up to 4 weeks after cessation of exposure. Conclusions. PEth-16:0/18:1 was detected in pregnant women at 4–6 weeks after their last low-to-moderate alcohol ingestion, and therefore appears to be a reliable biomarker of prenatal alcohol exposure to study the teratogenicity of alcohol at these exposure levels.

Keywords:

•  
• Biochemical markers;
• Ethanol;
• Mass spectrum analysis;
• Transplacental exposure

Acknowledgements

The authors are indebted to the reviewer of the journal who provided insightful comments that helped them improve the quality of the manuscript.

Declaration of interest

The authors report no declarations of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of the paper.

The study was supported by grant No. 11182KFDA556 from the Korean Food & Drug Administration.