The microdialysis probe is perfused with a physiological solution, which picks up small molecules such as drugs, metabolites, or toxins from the extracellular space. These molecules diffuse across the membrane based on their concentration gradients. The perfusate is collected as dialysate and analyzed to determine the concentration of the analytes of interest. This allows for real-time monitoring of changes in tissue chemistry, making it a powerful tool in toxicokinetics.
