Chromatography with Metal Specific Detection of Urine Samples from an Arthritis Patient on Auranofin Therapy

Six sequential urine samples obtained from a patient on auranofin therapy were analyzed for total gold, zinc, copper and creatinine levels. They were separated by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) on a weak anion exchange column. The detector utilized was an inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer (ICP-MS). Five, gold-containing metabolites as veil as multiple zinc- and copper-containing materials were eluted. The distribution of all three metals changed with time on therapy.