Fatty acid ethyl esters in liver and adipose tissues as postmortem markersfor ethanol intake

Background: Fatty acid ethyl esters (FAEEs) are nonoxidative:metabolites of ethanol. FAEEs are found in liver, pancreas and adipose tissues up to 24 h after consumption of ethanol, and on that basis, they are potentially usef ul markers for ethanol intake. In this study with rats, we investigated the efficacy of using FAEEs in liver and in adipose tissue as postmortem marke rs for premortem ethanol ingestion. Methods: An animal study was conducted in which test rats received injectio ns of ethanol and control rats received injections of normal saline. The ra ts were killed 2 h after the injections. The bodies of the animals were sto red at 4 degreesC up to 12 h, and samples of liver and adipose tissues were collected at different time intervals and processed for FAEE quantificatio n. In another set of experiments, the rats received injections and were kil led as described above,:but bodies of animals from both groups were stored at 4, 25, or 37 degreesC;for up to 72 h, and liver samples were;collected a nd processed for FAEE quantification. Results: FAEEs were detected up to 12 h after death in liver-and adipose ti ssue samples from the bodies of ethanol-treated animals stored at 4 degrees C; negligible amounts. were detected in the bodies of animals that received normal saline. Adipose tissues contained higher amounts of FAEEs than live r, as well as more species. eight FAEE species in adipose tissue and five i n liver tissue. Higher concentrations of FAEEs were detected in livers of t reated animals stored at 25 degreesC for up to 48 h than in livers of contr ols stored under the same Conditions. Conclusions: For at least 12 h after death, FAEEs in liver and adipose tiss ues are useful postmortem markers of premortem ethanol ingestion. (C) 2001 American Association for Clinical Chemistry.