Abstract
The microdialysis method was introduced 25 yr ago to measure neurotransmitter concentrations in the brains of laboratory animals. For 10 yr, this technique has been adapted, in metabolic studies, to monitor the interstitial concentrations of small-mol-wt compounds present in the extracellular space of various tissues, specially skeletal muscle and adipose tissue (AT). This development concerned animal experiments, as well as clinical research in humans. The microdialysis probe mimics the passive function of an artificial small blood vessel implanted into the tissue (Fig. 1). The characteristics of AT microdialysis are as follows (1):
-
1.
It collects a representative sample of all substances in the extracellular fluid.
-
2.
It causes minimal damage to the tissue.
-
3.
It makes possible continuous sampling for hours or days after a single penetration of the tissue.
-
4.
It allows recovery of endogenous substances, and makes them accessible to analytical techniques.
-
5.
It permits introduction of exogenous substances in the tissue, in order to study the resulting local biochemical effect, and to avoid general effects.
-
6.
It allows study of the local response inside the tissue during systemic drug administration, or when a physiological test is performed (such as exercise).
Schematic representation of a concentric microdialysis probe used for the measurement of AT metabolism.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Ungerstedt, U. (1991) Microdialysis: principles and applications for studies in animals and man. J. Intern. Med. 230, 365–373.
Iwao, N., Oshida, Y., and Sato, Y. (1997) Regional differences in lipolysis caused by a beta-adrenergic agonist as determined by the microdialysis technique. Acta Physiol. Scand. 161, 481–487.
Kowalski, T. J., Wu, G., and Watford, M. (1997) Rat adipose tissue amino acid metabolism in vivo as assessed by microdialysis and arteriovenous techniques. Am. J. Physiol. 273, E631–E642.
Darimont, C., Delansorne, R., Paris, J., Ailhaud, G., and Négrel, R. (1997) Influence of estrogenic status on the lipolytic activity of parametrial adipose tissue in vivo: an in situ microdialysis study. Endocrinology 138, 1092–1096.
Cimmino, M., Agosto, A., Minaire, Y., and Geloën, A. (1995) In situ regulation of lipolysis by insulin and norepinephrine: a microdialysis study during euglycemic-hyperinsulinemic clamp. Metabolism 44, 153–1518.
Cabassi, A., Vinci, S., Calzolari, M., Brushi, G., and Borghetti, A. (1998) Regional sympathetic activity in pre-hypertensive phase of spontaneously hypertensive rats. Life Sci. 62, 1111–1118.
Richelsen, B. (1991) Prostaglandins in adipose tissue. Danish Med. Bull. 38, 228–244.
Négrel, R., Gaillard, D., and Ailhaud, G. (1989) Prostacyclin as a potent effector of adipose cell differentiation. Biochem. J. 257, 399–405.
Vassaux, G., Gaillard, D., Ailhaud, G., and Négrel, R. (1992) Prostacyclin is a specific effector of adipose cell differentiation. Its dual role as cAMP and Ca2+ elevating agent. J. Biol. Chem. 267, 11,092–11,097.
Aubert, J., Ailhaud, G., and Négrel, R. (1996) Evidence for a novel regulatory pathway activated by (carba)prostacyclin in preadipose and adipose cells. FEBS Lett. 397, 117–121.
Darimont, C., Vassaux, G., Gaillard, D., Ailhaud, G., and Négrel, R. (1994) In situ microdialysis of prostaglandins in adipose tissue: stimulation of prostacyclin release by angiotensin II. Int. J. Obes. 18, 783–788.
Stähle, L., Segersvärd, S., and Ungerstedt, U. (1991) A comparison between three methods for estimation of extracellular concentrations of exogenous and endogenous compounds by microdialysis. J. Pharmacol. Meth. 25, 41–52.
Jnsson, P.-A., Fowelin, J., Smith, U., and Lönnroth, P. (1988) Characterization by microdialysis of intercellular glucose levels in subcutaneous tissue in humans. Am. J. Physiol. 255, E218–E220.
Jansson, P.-A., Veneman, T., Nurjhan, N., and Gerich, J. (1994) An improved method to calculate adipose tissue interstitial substrate recovery for microdialysis studies. Life Sci. 54, 1621–1624.
Bernst, E. and Gutmann, I. (1974) Determination of ethanol with alcohol deshydrogenase and NAD, in Methods of Enzymatic Analysis (Bergmeyer, H. U., ed.), Verlag, Weinheim, pp. 1499–1505.
Bradley, D. C. and Kaslow, H. R. (1989) Radiometric assays for glycerol, glucose and glycogen. Anal. Biochem. 180, 11–16.
Galitzky, J., Lafontan, M., Nordenström, J., and Arner, P. (1993) Role of vascular alpha2-adrenoceptors in regulating lipid mobilization from human adipose tissue. J. Clin. Invest. 91, 1997–2003.
Barbe, P., Millet, L., Galitzky, J., Lafontan, M., and Berlan, M. (1996) In situ assessment of the role of β1-, β2-, β3-adrenoceptors in the control of lipolysis and nutritive blood flow in human subcutaneous adipose tissue. Br. J. Pharmacol. 117, 907–913.
Barbe, P., Stich, V., Galitzky, J., Kunesova, M., Hainer, V., Lafontan, M., and Berlan, M. (1997) In vivo increase of β-adrenergic lipolytic response in subcutaneous adipose tissue of obese subjects submitted to hypocaloric diet. J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab. 82, 63–69.
Barbe, P., Galitzky, J., Gilsezinski, I., Rivière, D., Thalamas, C., Senard, J. M., Crampes, F., Lafontan, M., and Berlan, M. (1998) Simulated microgravity increases β-adrenergic lipolysis in human adipose tissue. J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab. 83, 619–625.
Millet, L., Barbe, P., Lafontan, M., Berlan, M. and Galitzky, J. (1998) Catecholamine effects on lipolysis dand blood flow in human abdominal and femoral adipose tissue. J. Appl. Physiol. 85, 181–188.
Bolinder, J., Ungerstedt, U., and Arner, P. (1992) Microdialysis measurement of the absolute glucose concentration in subcutaneous adipose tissue allowing glucose monitoring in diabetic patients. Diabetologia 35, 1177–1180.
Lafontan, M. and Arner, P. (1996) Application of in situ microdialysis to measure metabolic and vascular responses in adipose tissue. TIPS 17, 309–313.
Lönnroth, P. (1997) Microdialysis in adipose tissue and skeletal muscle. Horm. Metab. Res. 29, 344–346.
Jansson, P.-A., Smith, U., and Lönnroth, P. (1990) Interstitial glycerol concentration measured by microdialysis in two subcutaneous regions in humans. Am. J. Physiol. 258, E918–E922.
Jansson, P.-A., Smith, U., and Lönnroth, P. (1990) Evidence for lactate production by human adipose tissue in vivo. Diabetologia. 33, 253–256.
Jansson, P.-A., Larsson, A., Smith, U., and Lönnroth, P. (1994) Lactate release from the subcutaneous tissue in lean and obese men. J. Clin. Invest. 93, 240–246.
Lönnroth, P., Jansson, P.-A., Fredholm, B. B., and Smith, U. (1989) Microdialysis of intercellular adenosine concentration in subcutaneous tissue in humans. Am. J. Physiol. 256, E250–E255.
Lönnroth, P., Jansson, P.-A., and Smith, U. (1987) A microdialysis method allowing characterization of intracellular water space in humans. Am. J. Physiol. 253, E228–E231.
Darimont, C., Saint-Marc, P., Ailhaud, G., and Négrel, R. (1996) Modulation of vascular tone and glycerol levels measured by in situ microdialysis in rat adipose tissue. Am. J. Physiol. 271, E631–E635.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 2001 Humana Press Inc.
About this protocol
Cite this protocol
Barbe, P., Darimont, C., Saint-Marc, P., Galitzky, J. (2001). Measurements of White Adipose Tissue Metabolism by Microdialysis Technique. In: Ailhaud, G. (eds) Adipose Tissue Protocols. Methods in Molecular Biology™, vol 155. Springer, Totowa, NJ. https://doi.org/10.1385/1-59259-231-7:305
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1385/1-59259-231-7:305
Publisher Name: Springer, Totowa, NJ
Print ISBN: 978-0-89603-747-2
Online ISBN: 978-1-59259-231-9
eBook Packages: Springer Protocols