Computation of the effect of Donnan equilibrium on pH in equilibrium dialysis.

In equilibrium dialysis, with a nondiffusible, charged protein on one side of the membrane, Donnan equilibrium leads to a pH difference across the membrane. Therefore, with an ionizable drug, the concentration dissolved in water will be different on the two sides of the membrane to an extent dependent on the pH difference and the pKa of the drug. This must be allowed for in calculating the concentration bound to protein. This paper develops, with certain restrictions, a method of calculating the pH difference when the solutions contain electrolytes, acids, including CO2, and proteins. The method is applicable to pH differences across passive cell membranes.