Use of microdialysis to study interstitial nitric oxide and other reactive oxygen and nitrogen species in skeletal muscle

Microdialysis techniques can be used to sample the interstitial space of tissues such as skeletal muscle. Analytical developments have allowed adaptations of these techniques to permit continuous monitoring of nitric oxide and a number of other reactive oxygen and nitrogen species in skeletal muscle extracellular space. Methods are described for assessment of interstitial nitrate and nitrite content, superoxide anion content, hydroxyl radical activity, and the content of relatively stable lipid radicals detectable using spin trapping and electron spin resonance techniques in skeletal muscle of rodents at rest and during contractile activity.