Effect of respiratory acidosis on acidification by the medullary collecting duct.

The effect of acute respiratory acidosis (ARA) on inner medullary collecting duct (IMCD) acidification was studied and the results were compared with previously obtained data by our laboratory in rats with acute metabolic acidosis (AMA). We employed the microcatheterization technique to directly measure pH and PCO2 with glass-membrane electrodes, and fluid samples were obtained for measurement of bicarbonate, phosphate, and ammonium. Arterial pH was 7.18 +/- 0.01 and PCO2 was 88 +/- 2 mmHg. The IMCD data were analyzed as a function of IMCD length (approximately 6 mm). pH decreased from 5.78 +/- 0.07 to 5.27 +/- 0.03 and PCO2 increased from 55 +/- 4 to 75 +/- 2 mmHg between origin and tip. Bicarbonate delivery decreased from 154 +/- 34 to 25 +/- 3 nmol/min but no change was noted in acid phosphate, ammonium, or net acid addition along the IMCD. However, net acid excretion was not different from that found previously in AMA. We conclude that during ARA acidification is augmented prior to, but not along, the IMCD. In contrast, during AMA we previously found that IMCD plays a major regulatory role in urinary acidification, accounting for about 50% of the excreted hydrogen ion.