title: Metabolic alkalosis mimicking the acute sequestration of HCl in rats: bucking the alkaline tide.
abstract: Loss or sequestration of HCl induces an acute metabolic alkalosis. The purpose of these experiments was to examine the renal handling of bicarbonate (HCO3-) in awake, euvolemic rats to determine if a significant degree of bicarbonaturia would develop because, if present, it could lead to large negative balances for sodium (Na+) and/or potassium (K+). Metabolic alkalosis was induced acutely by creating the equivalent of an acute and large loss of HCl; the net effect was to lose Cl- and gain equimolar HCO3- in rats that were in Na+ and K+ balance. A loop diuretic induced the loss of 1,860 mumol Na+, 842 mumol K+ and 2,444 mumol Cl- over a 4-h period; the loss of Cl- was replaced as its Na+ or K+ salt by infusing equivalent amounts of NaHCO3 and KHCO3 (ultimately, a "simple exchange" of 2,444 mumol of HCO3- for Cl-). Metabolic alkalosis was sustained for 4 h (mean plasma [HCO3-] = 43 mmol/L); there was a parallel fall in the plasma [Cl-]. From a renal perspective, the fractional excretion of HCO3- was only 0.4%. This adaptation could be viewed as potentially life-saving, because excretion of NaHCO3 would result quickly in a severe reduction in ECF volume and metabolic acidosis and, in addition, in a severe degree of K(+)-depletion.
authors.affiliation: Department of Veterinary Internal Medicine, Western College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon.
authors.forename: S I
authors.initials: SI
authors.lastname: Rubin
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Sonnenberg
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Zettle
authors.forename: M L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Halperin
mesh_terms: D000471:Alkalosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000378:metabolism; D000818:Animals; D001639:Bicarbonates / Q000378:metabolism; D002712:Chlorides / Q000378:metabolism; D006851:Hydrochloric Acid / Q000378:metabolism*; D007668:Kidney / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D011188:Potassium / Q000378:metabolism; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D012964:Sodium / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D001639:Bicarbonates; D002712:Chlorides; D012964:Sodium; D006851:Hydrochloric Acid; D011188:Potassium