Cutaneous microdialysis of uric acid level in the dermis: modification of in vitro recovery.

Cutaneous microdialysis is a new tool for direct sampling and real-time monitoring in dermatological research. However, its use in general laboratory practice poses several problems, one of which is determination of the relative recovery of the target material. Uric acid, one of the major antioxidants in the skin, was analysed using cutaneous microdialysis in 11 healthy subjects. Two methods for in vitro recovery were adopted, one in which a standard solution of uric acid was used and another in which serum was used. Although differences between the two methods were found, it is suggested that establishing the in vitro recovery using serum might be a simple approach for microdialysis.