Plasma, Extracellular and Muscle Electrolyte Responses to Acute Metabolic Acidosis

¹ From the Departments of Medicine and Physiology, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester, New York

Nephrectomized cats were infused with hydrochloric acid in loads of from 3.5–9.6 mEq/kg. Extracellular moderation of the acidosis calculated from concentrations of electrolytes in plasma and inulin volumes of distribution was proportioned as follows: 35% by Na and 5% by K entering the ECS, and 20% by Cl and 24% by CO₂ leaving the ECS. Calculated from changes in the chloride spaces, Na shift moderated 58%, CO₂ 22% and K 6% of the acid load. Sodium rather than potassium appeared to be the main extracellular moderator of acidosis under the conditions of these experiments. Direct muscle analyses showed a fall in intracellular Na and probably of K in response to extracellular acidosis. It is suggested that K_i is not inversely related to extracellular ph. Calculated intracellular ph remained constant during the acidosis, indicating that cells may maintain a constant acid-base environment despite marked fluctuations of extracellular ph and that unmeasured mechanisms are responsible.

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