Effect of acute respiratory alkalosis and acidosis on intestinal ion transport in vivo.

The effects of acute respiratory alkalosis and acidosis on intestinal electrolyte transport were studied in adult Sprague-Dawley rats. During in situ intestinal perfusion, anesthetized animals were ventilated with 0, 3, or 8% CO2, creating states of alkalosis (pH 7.64 +/- 0.01), normocapnia (pH 7.45 +/- 0.01), or acidosis (pH 7.26 +/- 0.01), respectively. The plasma bicarbonate concentration decreased 2.0 mM during alkalosis and increased 2.1 mM during acidosis. The jejunum did not respond to the acid-base disturbances. In both the ileum and colon, alkalosis decreased the net absorption of water (-16%), sodium (-23%), and chloride (-42%) and the net secretion of bicarbonate (-33%), whereas acidosis had the opposite effect, i.e., the net absorption of water (41%), sodium (39%), and chloride (32%) increased as did net bicarbonate secretion (33%) (ileal values given). Changes in sodium chloride movement could be correlated with changes in systemic pH and CO2 tension (PCO2), and bicarbonate secretion paralleled changes in the plasma bicarbonate concentration. The acid-base disorders had no effect on ileal and colonic net potassium secretion and transmural potential difference. These studies suggest that systemic pH and/or PCO2 regulate sodium chloride absorption, and the plasma bicarbonate concentration regulates bicarbonate secretion.