Ethyl glucuronide is a nonvolatile, water-soluble, direct metabolite of ethanol, which can be detected in body fluids, tissues, and hair [1]. Ethyl glucuronide content is positively correlated with alcohol intake and can be used as a marker for the detection of alcohol abuse[2]. Ethyl glucuronide can be used as a standard internal control to develop a liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry method for the identification of related compounds[3].
In vitro, Ethyl glucuronide treatment (100μM) for 24h blocked the formation of TLR4-MD2 complex and stimulated the expression of TLR4-dependent SEAP protein in HEK-TLR4 cells[4].
In vivo, Ethyl glucuronide treatment via intrathecal injection at a single dose of 0.38µg caused significant hyperalgesia in rats within 3 hours[4].
References:
[1] Wurst F M, Kempter C, Metzger J, et al. Ethyl glucuronide: a marker of recent alcohol consumption with clinical and forensic implications[J]. Alcohol, 2000, 20(2): 111-116.
[2] Helander A, Böttcher M, Fehr C, et al. Detection times for urinary ethyl glucuronide and ethyl sulfate in heavy drinkers during alcohol detoxification[J]. Alcohol & Alcoholism, 2009, 44(1): 55-61.
[3] Wurst F M, Kempter C, Seidl S, et al. Ethyl glucuronide--a marker of alcohol consumption and a relapse marker with clinical and forensic implications[J]. Alcohol and alcoholism (Oxford, Oxfordshire), 1999, 34(1): 71-77.
[4] Lewis S S, Hutchinson M R, Zhang Y, et al. Glucuronic acid and the ethanol metabolite ethyl-glucuronide cause toll-like receptor 4 activation and enhanced pain[J]. Brain, behavior, and immunity, 2013, 30: 24-32.