Effect of acetazolamide on citrate excretion in the dog

¹ Department of Physiology and Medicine, Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, and Presbyterian Hospital, New York City

Clearance measurements were made on dogs in order to study the mechanism of the effect of acetazolamide on citrate excretion. Induction of metabolic alkalosis resulted in a marked rise in citrate clearance despite treatment with acetazolamide. Measurement of citrate clearances in alkalotic animals before and after acetazolamide infusion showed either no change or an increase in citrate clearance. No evidence was found that acetazolamide decreases citrate excretion when acidosis is prevented. These results are consistent with the hypothesis that changes in citrate clearance after acetazolamide administration are entirely secondary to changes in acid-base balance.

Key Words: citric acid excretion • kidney excretion of citric acid • acid-base balance and citrate excretion • metabolic alkalosis and citrate clearance • organic acid excretion

Submitted on August 1, 1963