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Home / Equine Research Bank / Drug Test Anal / Pharmacokinetics of Ethyl Glucuronide and Ethyl Sulfate and ...
Drug testing and analysis2024; doi: 10.1002/dta.3803

Pharmacokinetics of Ethyl Glucuronide and Ethyl Sulfate and Pharmacodynamic Effects Following Intravenous and Oral Administration of Ethanol to Exercised Horses.

Abstract: Ethanol, a central nervous system depressant and banned substance in horseracing, has reportedly been administered to horses prior to competition to "calm a horse's nerves." In this study, the pharmacokinetics of two metabolites of ethanol were studied to better understand the behavior of this compound in the horse and provide a scientific basis for regulation of its administration. Six horses received a single intravenous (30 mL; 1200 mg) and oral (90 mL; 3600 mg) administration of ethanol (vodka, 40% ABV) in a balanced cross-over design. Blood and urine samples were collected at various times post administration for up to 24 h. Concentrations of ethyl glucuronide and ethyl sulfate were determined using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry and pharmacokinetic analysis performed. Behavioral, locomotor activity and effects on heart rate were assessed. The maximum concentration (mean ± SD) of ethyl glucuronide was 71.5 ± 42.7 and 105.0 ± 47.5 ng/mL at 0.88 h following IV and oral administration, respectively. The maximum concentrations for the ethyl sulfate metabolite following IV and oral administration were 1.61 ± 0.60 and 3.46 ± 1.68 ng/mL, respectively. Urine concentrations of both metabolites were non-detectable by 24 h post ethyl alcohol administration. No observable behavioral responses were noted following IV or oral administration. Significant decreases in heart rate were noted at various times starting at 10 min until 4 h post administration in the oral dose group. Both ethyl glucuronide and ethyl sulfate could be useful markers for detection of illicit administration of ethanol to horses.
© 2024 The Author(s). Drug Testing and Analysis published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
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Publication Date: 2024-09-15 PubMed ID: 39279026DOI: 10.1002/dta.3803Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • Journal Article

Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

This research is about studying the behavior of ethanol and its two metabolites, ethyl glucuronide and ethyl sulfate, in horses to provide a basis for regulating its use in horse racing.

Study Design and Strategy

  • The study involved six horses and examined the pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics of ethanol, a substance known to be used illegally in horse racing to calm the nerves of horses before competition.
  • The horses received a single injection of ethanol intravenously and orally in a balanced cross-over design. The intravenous administration was at 30mL (1200mg) and oral administration at 90mL (3600mg), using vodka at 40% alcohol by volume.
  • After the administration of ethanol, blood and urine samples were collected at various intervals for a period of 24 hours for analysis.

Results and Findings

  • The analysis of the samples was done using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry to determine the concentrations of ethyl glucuronide and ethyl sulfate, the metabolites of ethanol.
  • The maximum concentration of ethyl glucuronide was found at 0.88 hours following both IV and oral administration. For ethyl sulfate metabolite, maximum concentrations were found after both intravenous and oral administration.
  • Both of these metabolites were determined to become non-detectable in the urine samples 24 hours after administration of ethanol.
  • No observable behavioral responses were noted in the horses after administration of ethanol. However, there were significant decreases in heart rate at various times, starting at 10 minutes until 4 hours after the oral dose.

Conclusions and Implications

  • The study proposed that both ethyl glucuronide and ethyl sulfate could serve as potential markers for the detection of the illicit administration of ethanol to horses. This could be useful in maintaining fair practices in horse racing.
  • The study did not observe any significant behavioral changes in the horses. However, the significant decrease in heart rate highlights the physiological effects of ethanol, justifying its ban as it can impact a horse’s performance.

Cite This Article

APA
Knych HK, Blea J, Scollay M, Kass PH, McKemie DS. (2024). Pharmacokinetics of Ethyl Glucuronide and Ethyl Sulfate and Pharmacodynamic Effects Following Intravenous and Oral Administration of Ethanol to Exercised Horses. Drug Test Anal. https://doi.org/10.1002/dta.3803

Publication

Drug testing and analysis
ISSN: 1942-7611
NlmUniqueID: 101483449
Country: England
Language: English

Researcher Affiliations

Knych, Heather K
  • K.L. Maddy Equine Analytical Chemistry Laboratory (Pharmacology Section), school of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, California, USA.
  • Department of Molecular Biosciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, California, USA.
Blea, Jeff
  • School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, California, USA.
Scollay, Mary
  • Horseracing Integrity & Welfare Unit, Drug Free Sports International, Kansas City, Missouri, USA.
Kass, Philip H
  • Department of Population Health and Reproduction, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, California, USA.
McKemie, Daniel S
  • K.L. Maddy Equine Analytical Chemistry Laboratory (Pharmacology Section), school of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, California, USA.

Grant Funding

  • Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority
  • Horseracing Integrity and Welfare Unit
  • California Horse Racing Board

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