Purpose of review: This review discusses recent developments in the utilization of microdialysis to assess tissue amino acid kinetics.
Recent findings: Three questions regarding the use of microdialysis to assess amino acid kinetics have recently been addressed. Does glutamate measured in the interstitial fluid of the brain represent neurotransmission activity? Can local nitric oxide production be determined with the use of microdialysis? Finally, how can skeletal muscle amino acid metabolism be studied in more detail utilizing microdialysis?
Summary: The most appropriate way to assess tissue kinetics is by the use of tracers. The number of studies actually utilizing microdialysis in combination with tracers to assess amino acid kinetics is rather limited. However, these studies show exiting new insides into in-vivo amino acid kinetics.