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We studied the effect of respiratory acidosis and respiratory alkalosis on acid-base composition and on microdissected renal adenosinetriphosphatase (ATPase) enzymes. Rats were subjected to hypercapnia or hypocapnia of 6, 24, and 72 h duration. After 6 h of hypercapnia, collecting tubule (CT) ATPases were not changed. At 24 h, plasma bicarbonate was 35 +/- 1 meq/l (P < 0.01) and CT H-ATPase and H-K-ATPase activities were 90% greater than controls (P < 0.01). By 72 h, plasma bicarbonate was 37 +/- 1 meq/l (P < 0.005 vs. control) and CT enzyme activity had increased even more, averaging approximately 130% of control (P < 0.05). Significant increases in enzyme activities were also observed in the proximal convoluted tubule and medullary thick ascending limb. Plasma aldosterone was three to four times that of control at all three time periods. In hormone-replete adrenalectomized rats, acid-base parameters and ATPase activities were the same as those seen in adrenal intact animals. After 6 h of hypocapnia, plasma bicarbonate was not significantly changed, but H-ATPase and Na-K-ATPase activities were decreased by 35% along the entire nephron (P < 0.05). H-K-ATPase activity in CT also decreased by 35%. At 24 h, plasma bicarbonate was 20.5 +/- 0.5 meq/l (P < 0.05 vs. control) and CT H-ATPase and H-K-ATPase activities were 60% less than control (P < 0.01). By 72 h, plasma bicarbonate was 18.5 +/- 0.5 meq/l (P < 0.05); however, only CT H-ATPase activity continued to fall, averaging 75% less than control (P < 0.005). Hypocapnia had no effect on plasma aldosterone or potassium. These results demonstrate that chronic, but not acute, respiratory acidosis stimulates activity of both renal proton ATPases. By contrast, both acute and chronic respiratory alkalosis decrease the two renal proton pumps. The stimulatory effect of hypercapnia and the inhibitory effect of hypocapnia on the renal ATPases appear to be potassium and aldosterone independent. Although the precise mechanisms for these results are not known, a direct effect of PCO2, pH, or changes in bicarbonate delivery may be involved.

A distal acidification defect is said to exist in rabbits because this species does not achieve a normal urine minus blood (U-B) PCO2 gradient in response to sodium bicarbonate infusion. This observation contrasts with data derived from studies in isolated rabbit cortical collecting tubules that have shown an acidifying capacity when the tubules were obtained from acidotic animals. The present study was designed to examine the role of diet and blood pH on distal acidification in the rabbit. Maximal alkalinization of the urine by acute sodium bicarbonate infusion was associated with a low U-B PCO2 gradient (0.7 +/- 2.1 mmHg). Rabbits made acidotic by ammonium chloride administration for 1 wk achieved a substantial U-B PCO2 gradient (29 +/- 5 mmHg) in response to neutral sodium phosphate infusion. To further evaluate the role of blood pH on the ability to raise U-B PCO2 gradient, rabbits and rats made acidotic by chronic ammonium chloride administration were studied. Neutral sodium phosphate was then infused to stimulate distal acidification. At comparable levels of urinary phosphate concentration and blood pH, acidotic rabbits were able to achieve a U-B PCO2 (50 +/- 7 mmHg) comparable with that of acidotic rats (48 +/- 8.3 mmHg). These data show that the failure of rabbits to raise U-B PCO2 gradient can be partially corrected by prior exposure to acid in the diet and further corrected by maintaining the blood pH within the acidotic range.

The role of parathyroid hormone (PTH) on the extrarenal buffering of an acid load was examined during HCl infusion (5 meq x kg-1 x h-1) to bilaterally nephrectomized rats. Thyroparathyroidectomized (TPTX) rats replaced with PTH had significantly higher blood pH and HCO3 values than TPTX rats not infused with PTH. Administration of EDTA, in a dose shown to release PTH, was associated with a significant increase in buffering capacity in intact but not in TPTX rats. Colchicine, given in a dose capable of stimulating PTH release, was also associated with enhanced buffering capacity in intact but not in TPTX rats. In TPTX rats infused with acetazolamide and PTH, the hormone failed to enhance extrarenal buffering of an acid load. Animals with chronic renal failure, induced by infarction of the kidney, also had an enhanced capacity to buffer an acid load. This enhanced buffering capacity in chronic renal failure was abolished by TPTX. Acute renal failure induced by bilateral ureteral ligation was also associated with increased buffering only in the presence of parathyroid glands. These data demonstrated that PTH, from either an exogenous or endogenous source, enhances extrarenal buffering capacity of an acid load. Chronic and acute renal failure are associated with increased buffering capacity, which is dependent on the presence of parathyroid glands. The data suggest that this effect is mediated through carbonic anhydrase.