The aim of this study is to characterise the release of lactate, glucose and amino acid (AA) from skeletal muscle interstitium in rats after simple laparotomy and/or partial hepatectomy using the microdialysis technique. Male albino Wistar rats (n = 18) were divided into 3 groups: intact rats (INT); rats with laparotomy (LAP); rats with 67% partial hepatectomy (PH). Microdialysis probes CMA/10 with polycarbonate membrane (cut-off 20 kD) were inserted to the left lumbar paravertebral muscles and perfused with saline solution. Microdialysis samples were collected within 24 hours. Lactate, glucose and selected AA microdialysate levels were estimated. Lactate levels in dialysate were significantly higher in the initial phase (0–30 min) after operation in rats after PH (0.720±0.273 mmol/l) in comparison with LAP (0.232±0.069 mmol/l). Glutamic acid release from muscle was significantly lower in rats after PH in comparison with intact rats at intervals 60–90 min (0.636 ± 0.113 vs 1.306 ± 0.136, p<0.05) and 150 – 180 min (0.567 ± 0.093 vs 1.458 ± 0.145, p<0.05). We concluded that surgical trauma of different severity induces significant metabolic changes in rat muscle interstitium.

        Key words: microdialysis, skeletal muscle, trauma, amino acids.