MICRODIALYSIS SAMPLING FOR HEPATIC-METABOLISM STUDIES - IMPACT OF MICRODIALYSIS PROBE DESIGN AND IMPLANTATION TECHNIQUE ON LIVER-TISSUE

Microdialysis sampling of liver tissue was performed using several pro be geometries, The extent of tissue damage and response in vivo caused by implantation and indwelling of the probe was evaluated by histolog ical examination of the tissue, A linear probe, implanted using fused silica tubing, was less damaging than other probe designs and implanta tion procedures tested. A series of time points up to 48 hr after impl antation were histologically examined. Infiltration of inflammatory ce lls, predominantly polymerphonuclear leukocytes (PMNs), was evident ad jacent to the probe membrane after similar to 8 hr. Mixed inflammatory infiltration, mainly PMNs but including some macrophages, was observe d in tissue slices 18 hr after implantation. At 48 hr, the mixed infla mmatory infiltration was still present, with some degeneration of PMNs . In implantations of longer than 12 hr, some necrosis appeared at the implantation site. The rate of delivery of phenol via the probe was s table for at least 30 hr, despite changes in the surrounding tissue.