title: Metabolic and endocrine effects of metabolic acidosis in humans.
abstract: Metabolic acidosis is an important acid-base disturbance in humans. It is characterised by a primary decrease in body bicarbonate stores and is known to induce multiple endocrine and metabolic alterations. Metabolic acidosis induces nitrogen wasting and, in humans, depresses protein metabolism. The acidosis-induced alterations in various endocrine systems include decreases in IGF-1 levels due to peripheral growth hormone insensitivity, a mild form of primary hypothyroidism and hyperglucocorticoidism. Metabolic acidosis induces a negative calcium balance (resorption from bone) with hypercalciuria and a propensity to develop kidney stones. Metabolic acidosis also results in hypophosphataemia due to renal phosphate wasting. Negative calcium balance and phosphate depletion combine to induce a metabolic bone disease that exhibits features of both osteoporosis and osteomalacia. In humans at least, 1,25-(OH)2 vitamin D levels increase, probably through phosphate depletion-induced stimulation of 1-alpha hydroxylase. The production rate of 1,25-(OH)2 vitamin D is thus stimulated, and parathyroid hormone decreases secondarily. There is experimental evidence to support the notion that even mild degrees of acidosis, such as that occurring by ingestion of a high animal protein diet, induces some of these metabolic and endocrine effects. The possible role of diet-induced acid loads in nephrolithiasis, age-related loss of lean body mass and osteoporosis is discussed.
authors: Medizinische Universitätsklinik Bruderholz, Bruderholz/Basel, Switzerland.
authors: M
authors: M
authors: Wiederkehr
authors: R
authors: R
authors: Krapf
mesh_terms: D000138:Acidosis / Q000150:complications / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000503:physiopathology; D004032:Diet; D004702:Endocrine Glands / Q000503:physiopathology; D004872:Ergocalciferols / Q000378:metabolism; D013006:Growth Hormone / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D009584:Nitrogen / Q000378:metabolism; D010281:Parathyroid Hormone / Q000378:metabolism; D011506:Proteins / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D004872:Ergocalciferols; D010281:Parathyroid Hormone; D011506:Proteins; C003564:1,25-dihydroxyergocalciferol; D013006:Growth Hormone; D009584:Nitrogen