Bicarbonate reabsorption in chronic renal failure.

Bicarbonate reabsorption was studied in dogs before and after induction of renal failure, produced by infarction of one kidney and removal of the contralateral kidney. Glomerular filtration rate and renal plasma flow decreased to 21 and 37% of control values, respectively. Fractional potassium excretion and fractional phosphate excretion increased significantly. Volume expansion resulted in a significant decrease of bicarbonate reabsorption in both control and uremic groups. At comparable levels of fractional chloride excretion, bicarbonate reabsorption was significantly higher in renal failure than in control animals. In the second group of dogs, following induction of renal failure, sodium bicarbonate was given orally in an amount sufficient to neutralize endogenous acid production. Bicarbonate reabsorption was again significantly higher than in control animals. Thyroparathyroidectomy had no effect on bicarbonate reabsorption. Absolute bicarbonate reabsorption and sodium reabsorption were lineraly related in control animals and in those in renal failure; the ratio of absolute bicarbonate reabsorption/abolute sodium reabsorption was significantly higher in renal failure than in control. These data demonstrate that renal failure is associated with enhanced bicarbonate reabsorption which is not related to the state of extracellular volume, the need to increase acid excretion or the concentrations of parathyroid hormone. These findings suggest that there are additional unknown factors controlling bicarbonate reabsorption in renal failure.