Biomarkers in blood and microdialysis tests

Biomarkers in blood and microdialysis tests in the case of work-related muscle pain

In order to investigate what happens in a muscle when pain is perceived and during strain, we use the microdialysis technique. In this project, we analyse both blood tests and microdialysis tests for a great number of substances produced in the muscle. With mathematical models, we can see which substances are important to investigate in the event of muscle pain.

Metabolism in muscles has long been of interest for research into muscle pain. There is evidence to suggest that certain parts of the cell metabolism can be more interesting to look at. For example, observing changes in lactate in microdialysis studies from CBF have proven it to be the substance with the most consistent results. Lactate is not a good marker as its metabolism is complicated and it is unclear as to how changes occur, but lactate can form part of a profile used to characterise muscle pain.

In order to create a profile of the metabolism during muscle pain, hundreds of different metabolites are analysed at the same time. The microdialysis tests are analysed with GC-TOF-MS. Using GC-MS has its advantages, due to the high level of sensitivity and its consistency. Data is handled with multivariate analyses, first and foremost OPLS. (Ortogonal projection to latent structures).