DGLA is one of the 20-carbon fatty acids that can be metabolized to PGs and TXs by COX-1/COX-2. The result of this metabolism in the human platelet yields TXB1. TXB1 is produced in small amounts when DGLA is added to washed suspensions of human platelets, while the major metabolism of this 1-series fatty acid is via 12-LO. However, when co-incubated with amounts of ethanol often found in intoxicated humans, the metabolism of DGLA shifts to an enhanced production of TXB1. Urinary TXB1 or its metabolites may thus be a specific biomarker of prior ethanol abuse.