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

[Mij]

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

 

[Creekside]

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.