In vivo microdialysis sampling coupled to liquid chromatography for the study of acetaminophen metabolism.

In vivo microdialysis sampling coupled to liquid chromatography is a powerful tool for the study of drug metabolism. This technique is illustrated by investigating the pharmacokinetics of acetaminophen in the blood and liver of an anesthetized rat. The pharmacokinetics of the sulfate and glucuronide metabolites as well as the parent acetaminophen can be determined with high precision using microdialysis sampling. Microdialysis samples can be collected at a high rate from several sites without fluid loss with a single animal. Because the animal serves as its own control better data can be obtained. Liquid chromatography provides determination of multiple analytes per sample for metabolic profiling. This technique will provide more accurate and precise pharmacokinetic data while requiring fewer animals.