Tissue ischemia is a consequence of reduced oxygen supply to the cell. This leads to an increase of lactate concentrations while glucose and pyruvate concentrations decrease, resulting in increased lactate/pyruvate ratios, which is considered an accurate ischemic marker. A lactate/pyruvate ratio above 25 is considered to signify ischemia. The glycerol level is a marker of cell damage as glycerol is a part of cell membranes. 

 Glucose, lactate, pyruvate, and glycerol can be quantified using the CMA 600 Microdialysis Analyzer. The CMA 600 Microdialysis Analyzer uses colorimetric measurements with enzymatic reagents. The used reagents enzymatically oxidize the sampled substrates and hydrogen peroxide is formed. The peroxidase then catalyses a reaction forming a red-violet quinoneimine or quinonediimine (colorimetric indicators). The amount of formatted colored substance is proportional to the substrate concentration and is measured photometrically as change of absorbance.