[Microdialysis. A method for measurement of local tissue metabolism]

Studies of pharmacological, immunological, and biochemical reactions in intact tissues have been hampered by the lack of appropriate techniques. The purpose of the review is to give a short introduction to the microdialysis technique which permits measurement of low molecular weight compounds in the extracellular water compartment in different tissue. Originally developed for use in animal brain, microdialysis is now being applied in humans for both clinical and experimental studies in different tissues, e.g. subcutaneous adipose tissue, brain, skin, and skeletal muscle. This review summarizes theoretical and practical aspects of microdialysis, and describes its main applications in humans.