Capillary electrophoresis-mass spectrometry, liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry and nanoelectrospray-mass spectrometry of praziquantel metabolites

Capillary electrophoresis-mass spectrometry (CE-MS) and liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) coupling was used for the investigation of metabolites of the anthelmintic drug praziquantel. Human urine samples and microsomal incubation mixtures were investigated after preparation by solid-phase extraction. CE- and LC-MS coupling was performed using an electrospray ionization interface. An ion trap mass spectrometer equipped with a laboratory-made nanoelectrospray ion source was used for the investigation of the glucuronide conjugates by consecutive fragmentations. The nanoelectrospray interface offers the opportunity to perform complicated MSn spectrometric investigations. Different phase I metabolites of praziquantel and their glucuronidated and sulfated conjugates were detected. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.