Search

SummaryCells take part in acid-base equilibrium regulation. At most 15 mEq H+ ions per kg are neutralized during acute acidosis in man or in dog; 50 % of this load are neutralized by cellular buffers. The amount of buffers set in during chronic acidosis is far more important. It is essentially supplied by the skeleton. Intracellular pH (pH1) measurement in mammals may be accomplished by two types of techniques : indirect, based on the distribution of a weak acid or base, or direct, using glass microelectrodes. Indirect methods, using HCO3-/CO2 system or dimethyl-oxazolidinedione (DMO), yield pH1 values (muscular cells) close to 7 for extracellular pH (PHE) of 7.40. They also demonstrate the lack of linear relationship between pH1 and pHE, suggesting on autonomous regulation of pH1, linked with cellular metabolism. Direct methods yield pH1 values (muscular cells) close to 6 for pHE of 7.40/, and membrane potential of —90 mV. They demonstrate a simple linear relationship between pH1 and pHE, which suggests ...