Microdialysis

 

RenaSci is a leading provider of intracerebral microdialysis services in rats and mice. Our dedicated team of experts have been conducting microdialysis for more than 20 years and can design bespoke studies to meet clients’ precise needs.

Microdialysis is a technique which studies the effects of drugs on free concentrations of neurotransmitters and neuromodulators in different brain regions of freely moving or anaesthetised rodents.

 

Our experts use high sensitivity UHPLC and HPLC with
electrochemical detection (ALEXYS™) to measure:

 

• Dopamine
• Gamma-amino butyric-acid (GABA)
• Noradrenaline
• Serotonin
• Monoamine metabolites
• Glutamate
• Acetylcholine
• And others (please contact us for further details)

 

There are a variety of administration routes for compounds; including infusion via localised reverse dialysis. There is the opportunity for sampling for up to 24h following drug administration.

• Single probe microdialysis measures the effects of drugs on multiple neurotransmitters and their metabolites in the same study.
• Dual probe microdialysis investigates multiple brain areas simultaneously in the same study.

 

 

Measurement of multiple neurotransmitters and their metabolites in the same microdialysis sample:
Neurochemical profile of xanomeline and d-amphetamine, alone and in combination:

 

 

Dopamine, DOPAC, HVA, GABA and glutamate: rat nucleus accumbens Acetylcholine: prefrontal cortex in the same animals Results are adjusted means; n=6-8. Vertical arrows indicate time of xanomeline (-40 min) and d-amphetamine (0 min) administration. Significant differences denoted by *p<0.05, **p<0.01, ***p<0.001 versus vehicle †p<0.05, ††p<0.01 versus d-amphetamine #p<0.05 versus xanomeline

 

Our model makes it possible to combine rat microdialysis with behavioural assessment and automated stress-free blood sampling (using the Culex Bambino/Raturn System; BASi) for PK measurements to generate a detailed PK/PD assessment.
Additionally this model facilitates the analysis of terminal blood and tissue samples from parallel groups and there is the option for either; analysis carried out on-site at RenaSci or shipped to clients at their convenience.

Samples generated from microdialysis studies can also be used to look at the recovery and measurement of free drug concentrations in the brain, or to measure drug and neurotransmitter levels in the same microdialysate sample.

 

Get in touch to find out more.