Determination of N-acetylcysteine in human plasma by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry.

An automatic mass spectrometric method for the quantitation of N-acetylcysteine (NAC) in human plasma has been developed. NAC was extracted from plasma with ethyl acetate and derivatized in two steps with 2-propanol and pentafluoropropionic anhydride. The volatile derivative obtained was ideal for gas chromatographic-mass spectrometric analysis. Data obtained by analysing the plasma of healthy volunteers to whom 600 mg of NAC had been orally given are reported.