Simulation of the detoxification of paracetamol using on-line electrochemistry/liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry

Anal Bioanal Chem. 2006 Nov;386(6):1701-8. doi: 10.1007/s00216-006-0801-y. Epub 2006 Oct 13.

Abstract

On-line electrochemistry/liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry was used to simulate the detoxification mechanism of paracetamol in the body. In an electrochemical flow-through cell, paracetamol was oxidized at a porous glassy carbon working electrode at a potential of 600 mV vs. Pd/H2 with formation of a quinoneimine intermediate. The quinoneimine further reacted with glutathione and/or N-acetylcysteine to form isomeric adducts via the thiol function. The adducts were characterized on-line by liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry. These reactions are similar to those occurring between paracetamol and glutathione under catalysis by cytochrome P450 enzymes in the body.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Acetaminophen / analysis*
  • Acetaminophen / chemistry
  • Acetaminophen / toxicity*
  • Acetylcysteine / chemistry
  • Chromatography, Liquid / methods*
  • Electrochemistry / methods*
  • Glutathione / chemistry
  • Mass Spectrometry / methods*
  • Molecular Structure
  • Online Systems*

Substances

  • Acetaminophen
  • Glutathione
  • Acetylcysteine