An In Vivo Method for the Analysis of

Microdialysis An in Vivo Method for the Analysis of Body Fluids 

Microdialysis is, however, only a sampling technique. This means it provides an investigator with samples that must be chemically analyzed. In fact, the applicability of microdialysis to the study of a particular compound occurring in the extracellular fluid is entirely dependent on the sensitivity of the respective analytical technique. In this context, high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) plays a key role in terms of sensitivity, reliability, and speed of 

In practice, a microdialysis probe is implanted into the tissue with tubing connecting it to external components a perfusion pump and a fraction collector. The probe is perfused continually at low flow rate (0.1-10 /uL/min) with an artificial physiological solution. As the perfusate emerges from the probe, fractions are collected and samples of each fraction analyzed. 

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MICRODIALYSIS AN IN VIVO METHOD FOR THE ANALYSIS OF BODY FLUIDS... 

Methods of detection, metabolism, and pathophysiology of the brevetoxins, PbTx-2 and PbTx-3, are summarized. Infrared spectroscopy and innovative chromatographic techniques were examined as methods for detection and structural analysis. Toxicokinetic and metabolic studies for in vivo and in vitro systems demonstrated hepatic metabolism and biliary excretion. An in vivo model of brevetoxin intoxication was developed in conscious tethered rats. Intravenous administration of toxin resulted in a precipitous decrease in body temperature and respiratory rate, as well as signs suggesting central nervous system involvement. A polyclonal antiserum against the brevetoxin polyether backbone was prepared a radioimmunoassay was developed with a sub-nanogram detection limit. This antiserum, when administered prophylactically, protected rats against the toxic effects of brevetoxin. 

The analysis of carotenoid identity, conformation, and binding in vivo should allow further progress to be made in understanding of the functions of these pigments in the photosynthetic machinery. One of the obvious steps toward improvement could be the use of continuously tuneable laser systems in order to obtain more detailed resonance Raman excitation profiles (Sashima et al 2000). This technique will be suitable for the investigation of in vivo systems with more complex carotenoid composition. In addition, this method may be applied for the determination of the energy of forbidden Sj or 2 Ag transition. This is an important parameter, since it allows an assessment of the energy transfer relationship between the carotenoids and chlorophylls within the antenna complex. 

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