The application of high performance liquid chromatography, coupled to nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy and mass spectrometry (HPLC-NMR-MS), to the characterisation of ibuprofen metabolites from human urine

The use of HPLC-NMR-MS for the detection and identification of the metabolites of ibuprofen present in a solid phase extract of human urine is described. Gradient reversed-phase HPLC was used to separate the components present in the extract, which were then characterised by a combination of stopped-flow1H NMR and on line electrospray-MS. This approach led to the rapid identification of the known phase 1 human metabolites of ibuprofen, including hydroxy- and carboxy- metabolites, together with their respective glucuronide conjugates. In addition a probable artefact resulting from the dehydration of one of the side chainhydroxylated glucuronides was also identified.