Fatty acid ethyl esters: current facts and speculations

Increasing evidence indicates that fatty acid ethyl esters (FAEE) play a ro le in ethanol-induced organ damage and may serve as long-term markers of et hanol intake. This report summarizes the current knowledge on the toxicity of FAEE, the enzymes associated with FAEE synthesis, FAEE as fatty acid sup plements, the in vivo degradation of orally ingested FAEE and FAEE as marke rs of ethanol intake. A list of major unanswered questions in each of these categories is also included.