Fatty acid ethyl esters (FAEEs) and phosphatidylethanol (PEth) are additional non-oxidative metabolites of ethanol that can serve as alcohol consumption biomarkers (129). FAEEs also shed light on potential mechanisms underlying alcohol-related tissue injury, particularly in cases of heavy drinking. Although FAEE-synthesizing enzymes are expressed in many organs, clinical studies show that the highest FAEE synthase activity and FAEEs concentrations are in organs commonly damaged by heavy alcohol consumption, such as the liver and pancreas. Lower but detectable levels are also observed in the heart and brain (130).
