Determination of glucuronidated 5-hydroxytryptophol (GTOL), a marker of recent alcohol intake, by ELISA technique

Objectives: To compare markers of alcohol consumption. Design and methods: Measurement of urinary ethyl glucuronide, 5-hydroxytryptophol, 5-hydroxytryptophol glucuronide, 5-hydroxyindole acetic acid in 10 patients during alcohol withdrawal. Results: 5-Hydroxytryptophol glucuronide was measured by ELISA with good analytical precision, its diagnostic specificity and sensitivity was better than that of 5-hydroxytryptophol and its correlation was closer to ethyl glucuronide than to 5-hydroxytryptophol. Conclusion: Determination of 5-hydroxytryptophol glucuronide by ELISA offers promising results in detection of previous alcohol consumption.