Elimination and phase II metabolism of ethanol in camels after intravenous administration

Ethanol elimination was studied in camels (n = 8) after a single bolus intravenous dose of 0.1 g/kg bodyweight (BW). Blood samples were then collected at set intervals. Ethanol and ethyl glucuronide (EtG) in blood were analysed by validated static headspace gas chromatography–mass spectrometry and liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry (LC–MS) methods, respectively. Blood-ethanol concentration–time profiles were plotted for each camel and these were evaluated. A simple linear regression model was fitted to the selected data points and the slope of the fitted line was used to estimate the elimination rate, the distribution factor and turnover rate, which were 5.15 mg/dL blood/h, 0.55 L/kg and 0.028 g/h/kg, respectively. Blood EtG concentration–time profiles were also plotted for each camel. The elimination half-life of EtG, estimated by linear regression (using the values obtained after ethanol was completely eliminated) was 2.18 h. The theoretical initial blood concentration of EtG (C0), obtained by extrapolation to time zero was 23.4 μg/dL. The results will be useful in monitoring alcohol doping in camels using either parent drug or metabolite.