Rapid evaluation of ethanol content and metabolism in human plasma using quantitative proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy.

Proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) was used to assay ethanol in plasma. Ethanol concentrations determined by MRS and conventional enzymatic methods are in excellent agreement. In addition to ethanol, acetone, acetate and beta-hydroxybutyrate can be quantified simultaneously in the same sample. Proton MRS of plasma offers a rapid evaluation of human ethanol metabolism and may be useful in screening for chronic alcoholism.