Membrane cut-off does not influence results regarding the measurement of small molecules - a comparative study between 20- and 100-kDa catheters in hepatic microdialysis.

Background: Microdialysis is a method used to monitor hepatic tissue metabolism. Membranes with a molecular cut-off of 20 kilodalton (kDa) are currently used to measure the small metabolites glucose, glycerol, lactate and pyruvate. Using membranes with higher cut-off such as 100 kDa allows the possibility of measuring larger molecules but may affect results regarding small molecules.