Continuous Measurement of Lactate Concentration in Human Subjects through Direct Electron Transfer from Enzymes to Microneedle Electrodes,2023 Freeman

Abstract

Microneedle lactate sensors may be used to continuously measure lactate concentration in the interstitial fluid in a minimally invasive and pain-free manner. First- and second-generation enzymatic sensors produce a redox-active product that is electrochemically sensed at the electrode surface.

Direct electron transfer enzymes produce electrons directly as the product of enzymatic action; in this study, a direct electron transfer enzyme specific to lactate has been immobilized onto a microneedle surface to create lactate-sensing devices that function at low applied voltages (0.2 V). These devices have been validated in a small study of human volunteers; lactate concentrations were raised and lowered through physical exercise and subsequent rest. Lactazyme microneedle devices show good agreement with concurrently obtained and analyzed serum lactate levels.


https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acssensors.2c02780

 

While this and the ear-sensing one seem like good tools for measuring lactate in real-time, I get the impression that it's due to a fad for athletes (or athlete wanna-bees?), with little if any present data to make valid correlations with. That sort of data might be useful for some diseases someday, so I have no objections to sports fans funding this R&D.