Microdialysis Technique

Microdialysis was first invented in the early 1970´s and introduced as a method for monitoring the concentrations of neurotransmitters in experimental animals. 

Microdialysis is a minimally invasive sampling technique intended to collect and continuously measure biomarkers in the extracellular fluid of a wide range of tissues such as adipose tissue, skin, muscles, and other organs. 

Hollow fibers consisting of dialysis membranes with different characteristics are now available allowing detection of both small molecules like histamine, neuropeptides and large molecules like the protease tryptase, and cytokines.

In 2019 a position paper was published from a task force initiated and sponsored by EAACI. This position paper provides an overview of the current use of skin microdialysis in the investigation of the pathogenesis of chronic inflammatory skin diseases, drug penetration, actions of anti-allergic drugs and drug- induced allergy like side effects (1) and provides a SOP for in vivo and ex vivo skin microdialysis.

Instruction for use

EP Medical probes are introduced into the skin through the guide cannulas, which are then removed. The distance between each cannula should preferentially be 3 cm. 

Before use, the EP Medical probes should be tested by perfusion with the perfusion buffer to ascertain that the probes are tight. Please note that perfusion of EP Medical high and ultra high flux probes at high flow rates (> 3 μL/min) will show penetration of fluid across the microdialysis membrane which is due to the physical properties of a membrane with large pore size.