Search PubMed⌕ Search

SEARCH · Search PubMed

Results for “ACIDOSIS”

Search indexed PubMed citations on genomics, clinical trials, systematic reviews and public health. Explore titles, authors and supplied subject terms, then open the PubMed record.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 1,063 records · Page 59Linked to original sources

The treatment of acidosis in acute lung injury with tris-hydroxymethyl aminomethane (THAM).

Mechanical hyperventilation of acidemic patients with acute lung injury (ALI) requires the use of high volumes and pressures that may worsen lung injury. However, permissive hypercapnia in the presence of shock, metabolic acidosis, and multi-organ system dysfunction may compromise normal cellular function. Tris-hydroxymethyl aminomethane (THAM) may be an effective method to control acidosis in this circumstance. Protonated THAM is excreted by the kidneys, so that carbon dioxide production is not raised. In an uncontrolled study, we administered THAM to 10 patients with acidosis (mean pH = 7.14) and ALI (mean lung injury score = 3.28) in whom adequate control of arterial pH could not be maintained during either eucapnic ventilation or permissive hypercapnia ventilation. THAM was given at a mean dose of 0.55 mmol/kg/h. Administration of THAM was associated with significant improvements in arterial pH and base deficit, and a decrease in arterial carbon dioxide tension that could not be fully accounted for by ventilation. Although further studies are needed to confirm these observations, THAM appears to be an effective alternative to sodium bicarbonate for treating acidosis during ALI.

Acidosis↗

On the mechanism of renal potassium wasting in renal tubular acidosis associated with the Fanconi syndrome (type 2 RTA).

The mechanism of renal potassium wasting in renal tubular acidosis associated with the Fanconi syndrome (type 2 RTA) was investigated in 10 patients, each of whom had impaired proximal renal tubular reabsorption of bicarbonate as judged from a greater than 15-20% reduction of renal tubular bicarbonate reabsorption (THCO(3) (-)) at normal plasma bicarbonate concentrations. When the plasma bicarbonate concentration ([HCO(3) (-)]p) was experimentally increased to normal levels in three patients with a fractional potassium excretion (C(K)/C(in)) of less than 1.0 during acidosis, C(K)/C(in) and urinary potassium excretion (U(K)V/C(in)) increased strikingly and concurrently with a striking increase in urinary sodium (U(Na)V/C(in)) and bicarbonate (U(HCO3-)V/C(in)) excretion. When [HCO(3) (-)]p was increased to normal levels in two patients with a C(K)/C(in) of greater than 1.0 during acidosis and in whom U(Na)V/C(in) and U(HCO3-)V/C(in) were already markedly increased, C(K)/C(in) did not increase further. When [HCO(3) (-)]p was decreased to subnormal levels in a patient given ammonium chloride, U(K)V/C(in), C(K)/C(in), and U(HCO3-)V/C(in) decreased concurrently. In the six patients in whom [HCO(3) (-)]p was maintained at normal levels (oral alkali therapy) for 2 months or longer, C(K)/C(in) was directly related to the urinary excretion rates of sodium and bicarbonate, hence was directly related to the magnitude of reduction of THCO(3) (-) at normal [HCO(3) (-)]p; C(K)/C(in) was greater than 0.55 in all six patients and greater than 1.0 in four. In eight patients with classic RTA (type 1 RTA), proximal renal tubular reabsorption of bicarbonate was largely intact as judged from a trivial reduction of THCO(3) (-) at normal [HCO(3) (-)]p. When [HCO(3) (-)]p was either increased from subnormal to normal levels, or decreased from normal to subnormal levels, U(HCO3-)V/C(in) remained essentially constant, and U(K)V/C(in) did not change significantly. When correction of acidosis was sustained, U(HCO3-)V/C(in) remained a trivial fraction of that filtered, and C(K)/C(in) was consistently less than 0.55. These results provide evidence that renal potassium wasting in type 2 RTA is physiologically separable from that in type 1 RTA and in part the result of a reduction in the rate at which the proximal tubule reabsorbs bicarbonate and the distal delivery of supernormal amounts of sodium bicarbonate. With an increased stimulus to distal sodium reabsorption, indicated by the finding of hyperaldosteronism, delivery to the distal nephron of supernormal amounts of sodium with the relatively impermeant bicarbonate anion would be expected to increase intraluminal negativity in the distal nephron, and as a consequence, increase potassium secretion and promote renal potassium wasting.

Acidosis, Renal Tubular↗

Metabolism of glutamine by the intact functioning kidney of the dog. Studies in metabolic acidosis and alkalosis.

The renal conversion of glutamine to glucose and its oxidation to CO(2) were compared in dogs in chronic metabolic acidosis and alkalosis. These studies were performed at normal endogenous levels of glutamine utilizing glutamine-(34)C (uniformly labeled) as a tracer. It was observed in five experiments in acidosis that mean renal extraction of glutamine by one kidney amounted to 27.7 mumoles/min. Of this quantity, 5.34 mumoles/min was converted to glucose, and 17.5 mumoles/min was oxidized to CO(2). Acidotic animals excreted an average of 41 mumoles/min of ammonia in the urine formed by one kidney. In contrast, in five experiments in alkalosis, mean renal extraction of glutamine amounted to 8.04 mumoles/min. Of this quantity, 0.92 mumole/min was converted to glucose, and 4.99 mumoles/min was oxidized to CO(2). Alkalotic animals excreted an average of 3.23 mumoles/min of ammonia in the urine. We conclude that renal gluconeogenesis is not rate limiting for the production and excretion of ammonia in either acidosis or alkalosis. Since 40% of total CO(2) production is derived from oxidation of glutamine by the acidotic kidney and 14% by the alkalotic kidney, it is apparent that renal energy sources change with acid-base state and that glutamine constitutes a major metabolic fuel in acidosis.

Acid-Base Equilibrium↗

Pathways of glutamine and organic acid metabolism in renal cortex in chronic metabolic acidosis.

The metabolism of labeled glutamine and of several labeled organic acid anions was compared in tissue slices of renal cortex from chronically acidotic and alkalotic littermate dogs. (15)NH(3) formation and (15)N-amideglutamine utilization were significantly increased by slices from acidotic animals providing further evidence for the similarity of the metabolic responses seen in the tissue slice system and the physiologic effects produced by chronic metabolic acidosis on renal metabolism in the intact animal. Slices from acidotic dogs formed more (14)CO(2) and glucose-(14)C than did slices from alkalotic animals when labeled glutamine, citrate, or malate was used as substrate but (14)CO(2) production from pyruvate-1-(14)C was slightly reduced in acidotic tissue. With most of the substrates used glucose-(14)C formation was small compared with (14)CO(2) formation. Using the amount of glucose-(14)C formed, the expected (14)CO(2) production was calculated based on the hypothesis that the primary site of action of metabolic acidosis is on a cytoplasmic step in gluconeogenesis. The actual difference in (14)CO(2) production between slices from acidotic and alkalotic animals always greatly exceeded this predicted amount, indicating that stimulation of gluconeogenesis represents a minor metabolic response to chronic metabolic acidosis. Evidence from experiments with citrate labeled in various positions showed that metabolic acidosis has its principal effect on an early step in substrate metabolism which must be intramitochondrial in location.

Acidosis↗

Hepatic fructose-1,6-diphosphatase deficiency. A cause of lactic acidosis and hypoglycemia in infancy.

An 8-month-old female, maintained on breast feeding for 6 months, experienced numerous attacks of hyperventilation when weaned to baby food and was admitted with severe lactic acidosis (20 mM) and hypoglycemia. Physical examination was negative except for hepatomegaly. Fasting (18 hr) after stabilization on a high carbohydrate diet resulted in hypoglycemia (plasma glucose 40 mg/100 ml), lactic acidosis (6-10 mM), and a rise in plasma alanine. Glucagon produced a glycemic response after 6 hr, but not after 18 hr fasting. Intravenous galactose increased plasma glucose (Delta 45 mg/100 ml) but intravenous fructose, glycerol, and alanine caused a 40-50% fall in plasma glucose and a significant rise in lactate (Delta 3-4 mM). Liver biopsy showed fatty infiltration. Liver slices incubated with galactose, lactate, fructose, alanine, or glycerol converted only galactose to glucose. Hepatic glycolytic intermediates were increased below the level of fructose-1,6-diphosphate and decreased above. Hepatic phosphorylase, glucose-6-phosphatase, amylo-1,6-glucosidase, phosphofructokinase, fructose-1-phosphate aldolase, and fructose-1,6-diphosphate aldolase levels were normal, but no fructose-1,6-diphosphatase (FDPase) activity was detected. Further studies on the liver homogenate of this patient revealed the presence of an acid-precipitable activator of FDPase. Normal plasma glucose and lactate levels were maintained on an 800 cal diet of 66% carbohydrate (sucrose and fructose excluded). 5% protein, and 20% fat. When carbohydrate was reduced to 35% and protein or fat increased to 23 and 53% respectively, lactic acidosis and hypoglycemia recurred. These studies show that a deficiency of FDPase produced infantile lactic acidosis and hypoglycemia and can be controlled by an appropriate diet.

Acidosis↗

The maladaptive renal response to secondary hypocapnia during chronic HCl acidosis in the dog.

It has generally been thought that homeostatic mechanisms of renal origin are responsible for minimizing the alkalemia produced by chronic hypocapnia. Recent observations from this laboratory have demonstrated, however, that the decrement in [HCO(-) (3)], which "protects" extracellular pH in normal dogs, is simply the by-product of a nonspecific effect of Paco(2) on renal hydrogen ion secretion; chronic primary hypocapnia produces virtually the same decrement in plasma [HCO(-) (3)] in dogs with chronic HCl acidosis as in normal dogs (Delta[HCO(-) (3)]/DeltaPaco(2) = 0.5), with the result that plasma [H(+)] in animals with severe acidosis rises rather than falls during superimposed forced hyperventilation. This observation raised the possibility that the secondary hypocapnia which normally accompanies metabolic acidosis, if persistent, might induce an analogous renal response and thereby contribute to the steady-state decrement in plasma [HCO(-) (3)] observed during HCl feeding. We reasoned that if sustained secondary hypocapnia provoked the kidney to depress renal bicarbonate reabsorption, the acute salutary effect of hypocapnia on plasma acidity might be seriously undermined. To isolate the possible effects of secondary hypocapnia from those of the hydrogen ion load, per se, animals were maintained in an atmosphere of 2.6% CO(2) during an initial 8-day period of acid feeding (7 mmol/kg per day); this maneuver allowed Paco(2) to be held constant at the control level of 36 mm Hg despite the hyperventilation induced by the acidemia. Steady-state bicarbonate concentration during the period of eucapnia fell from 20.8 to 16.0 meq/liter, while [H(+)] rose from 42 to 55 neq/liter. During the second phase of the study, acid feeding was continued but CO(2) was removed from the inspired air, permitting Paco(2) to fall by 6 mm Hg. In response to this secondary hypocapnia, bicarbonate concentration fell by an additional 3.0 meq/liter to a new steady-state level of 13.0 meq/liter. This reduction in bicarbonate was of sufficient magnitude to more than offset the acute salutary effect of the hypocapnia on plasma hydrogen ion concentration; in fact, steady-state [H(+)] rose as a function of the adaptive fall in Paco(2), Delta[H(+)]/Delta Paco(2) = -0.44. That the fall in bicarbonate observed in response to chronic secondary hypocapnia was the result of the change in Paco(2) was confirmed by the observation that plasma bicarbonate returned to its eucapnic level in a subgroup of animals re-exposed to 2.6% CO(2). These data indicate that the decrement in plasma [HCO(-) (3)] seen in chronic HCl acidosis is a composite function of (a) the acid load itself and (b) the renal response to the associated hyperventilation. We conclude that this renal response is maladaptive because it clearly diminishes the degree to which plasma acidity is protected by secondary hypocapnia acutely. Moreover, under some circumstances, this maladaptation actually results in more severe acidemia than would occur in the complete absence of secondary hypocapnia.

Acidosis↗

Effects of dichloroacetate in the treatment of hypoxic lactic acidosis in dogs.

The metabolic and systemic effects of dichloroacetate (DCA) in the treatment of hypoxic lactic acidosis were evaluated in the dog and compared with the infusion of equal quantities of volume and sodium. Hypoxic lactic acidosis was induced by ventilating dogs with an hypoxic gas mixture of 8% oxygen and 92% nitrogen, resulting in arterial PO2 of less than 30 mmHg, pH below 7.20, bicarbonate less than 15 mM, and lactate greater than 7 mM. After, the development of hypoxic lactic acidosis dogs were treated for 60 min with either DCA as sodium salt or NaCl at equal infusions of volume and sodium. Dogs treated with DCA showed a significant increase of arterial blood pH and bicarbonate, and steady levels of lactate, whereas NaCl resulted in further declines of blood pH and bicarbonate, and rising blood lactate levels. Overall lactate production decreased during therapy with either regimen, but hepatic lactate extraction increased significantly with DCA, while it remained unchanged with NaCl. Tissue lactate levels in liver and skeletal muscle decreased significantly with DCA treatment but were unchanged with NaCl. Additionally, an increase in muscle intracellular pH was observed only in DCA treated dogs. A possible mechanism for the observed actions of DCA might be related to a significant increase in oxygen delivery to tissues. Such an effect was found with DCA administration, but was not observed with NaCl therapy. In conclusion, DCA therapy in hypoxic lactic acidosis has beneficial systemic effects compared with therapy with NaCl. DCA administration is accompanied by increases of blood pH and bicarbonate, a decrease in lactate production, and enhanced liver lactate extraction, and a lowering of tissue lactate levels.

Acetates↗

Intracellular pH during "chemical hypoxia" in cultured rat hepatocytes. Protection by intracellular acidosis against the onset of cell death.

The relationships between extracellular pH (pHo), intracellular pH (pHi), and loss of cell viability were evaluated in cultured rat hepatocytes after ATP depletion by metabolic inhibition with KCN and iodoacetate (chemical hypoxia). pHi was measured in single cells by ratio imaging of 2',7'-biscarboxy-ethyl-5,6-carboxyfluorescein (BCECF) fluorescence using multiparameter digitized video microscopy. During chemical hypoxia at pHo of 7.4, pHi decreased from 7.36 to 6.33 within 10 min. pHi remained at 6.1-6.5 for 30-40 min (plateau phase). Thereafter, pHi began to rise and cell death ensued within minutes, as evidenced by nuclear staining with propidium iodide and coincident leakage of BCECF from the cytoplasm. An acidic pHo produced a slightly greater drop in pHi, prolonged the plateau phase of intracellular acidosis, and delayed the onset of cell death. Inhibition of Na+/H+ exchange also prolonged the plateau phase and delayed cell death. In contrast, monensin or substitution of gluconate for Cl- in buffer containing HCO3- abolished the pH gradient across the plasma membrane and shortened cell survival. The results indicate that intracellular acidosis after ATP depletion delays the onset of cell death, whereas reduction of the degree of acidosis accelerates cell killing. We conclude that intracellular acidosis protects against hepatocellular death from ATP depletion, a phenomenon that may represent a protective adaptation against hypoxic and ischemic stress.

4,4'-Diisothiocyanostilbene-2,2'-Disulfonic Acid↗

Metabolic acidosis stimulates H+ secretion in the rabbit outer medullary collecting duct (inner stripe) of the kidney.

The outer medullary collecting duct (OMCD) absorbs HCO3- at high rates, but it is not clear if it responds to metabolic acidosis to increase H+ secretion. We measured net HCO3- transport in isolated perfused OMCDs taken from deep in the inner stripes of kidneys from control and acidotic (NH4Cl-fed for 3 d) rabbits. We used specific inhibitors to characterize the mechanisms of HCO3- transport: 10 microM Sch 28080 or luminal K+ removal to inhibit P-type H+,K+-ATPase activity, and 5-10 nM bafilomycin A1 or 1-10 nM concanamycin A to inhibit H+-ATPase activity. The results were comparable using either of each pair of inhibitors, and allowed us to show in control rabbits that 65% of net HCO3- absorption depended on H+-ATPase (H flux), and 35% depended on H+,K+-ATPase (H,K flux). Tubules from acidotic rabbits showed higher rates of HCO3- absorption (16.8+/-0.3 vs. 12.8+/-0.2 pmol/min per mm, P < 0.01). There was no difference in the H,K flux (5.9+/-0.2 vs. 5.8+/-0.2 pmol/min per mm), whereas there was a 61% higher H flux in segments from acidotic rabbits (11.3+/-0.2 vs. 7.0+/-0.2 pmol/min per mm, P < 0.01). Transport was then measured in other OMCDs before and after incubation for 1 h at pH 6.8, followed by 2 h at pH 7.4 (in vitro metabolic acidosis). Acid incubation in vitro stimulated HCO3- absorption (12.3+/-0.3 to 16.2+/-0.3 pmol/min per mm, P < 0.01), while incubation at pH 7.4 for 3 h did not change basal rate (11.8+/-0.4 to 11.7+/-0.4 pmol/min per mm). After acid incubation the H,K flux did not change, (4.7+/-0.4 to 4.6+/-0.4 pmol/min per mm), however, there was a 60% increase in H flux (6.6+/-0.3 to 10.8+/-0.3 pmol/min per mm, P < 0.01). In OMCDs from acidotic animals, and in OMCDs incubated in acid in vitro, there was a higher basal rate and a further increase in HCO3- absorption (16.7+/-0.4 to 21.3+/-0.3 pmol/min per mm, P < 0.01) because of increased H flux (11.5+/-0.3 to 15.7+/-0.2 pmol/min per mm, P < 0.01) without any change in H,K flux (5.4+/-0.3 to 5.6+/-0.3 pmol/min per mm). These data indicate that HCO3- absorption (H+ secretion) in OMCD is stimulated by metabolic acidosis in vivo and in vitro by an increase in H+-ATPase-sensitive HCO3- absorption. The mechanism of adaptation may involve increased synthesis and exocytosis to the apical membrane of proton pumps. This adaptation helps maintain homeostasis during metabolic acidosis.

Acidosis↗

Sympathetic activation in exercise is not dependent on muscle acidosis. Direct evidence from studies in metabolic myopathies.

Muscle acidosis has been implicated as a major determinant of reflex sympathetic activation during exercise. To test this hypothesis we studied sympathetic exercise responses in metabolic myopathies in which muscle acidosis is impaired or augmented during exercise. As an index of reflex sympathetic activation to muscle, microneurographic measurements of muscle sympathetic nerve activity (MSNA) were obtained from the peroneal nerve. MSNA was measured during static handgrip exercise at 30% of maximal voluntary contraction force to exhaustion in patients in whom exercise-induced muscle acidosis is absent (seven myophosphorylase deficient patients; MD [McArdle's disease], and one patient with muscle phosphofructokinase deficiency [PFKD]), augmented (one patient with mitochondrial myopathy [MM]), or normal (five healthy controls). Muscle pH was monitored by 31P-magnetic resonance spectroscopy during handgrip exercise in the five control subjects, four MD patients, and the MM and PFKD patients. With handgrip to exhaustion, the increase in MSNA over baseline (bursts per minute [bpm] and total activity [%]) was not impaired in patients with MD (17+/-2 bpm, 124+/-42%) or PFKD (65 bpm, 307%), and was not enhanced in the MM patient (24 bpm, 131%) compared with controls (17+/-4 bpm, 115+/-17%). Post-handgrip ischemia studied in one McArdle patient, caused sustained elevation of MSNA above basal suggesting a chemoreflex activation of MSNA. Handgrip exercise elicited an enhanced drop in muscle pH of 0.51 U in the MM patient compared with the decrease in controls of 0.13+/-0.02 U. In contrast, muscle pH increased with exercise in MD by 0.12+/-0.05 U and in PFKD by 0.01 U. In conclusion, patients with glycogenolytic, glycolytic, and oxidative phosphorylation defects show normal muscle sympathetic nerve responses to static exercise. These findings indicate that muscle acidosis is not a prerequisite for sympathetic activation in exercise.

Acidosis↗

Enteral glutamine spares endogenous glutamine in chronic acidosis.

Metabolic acidosis associated with the catabolic state mobilizes muscle nitrogen and releases it into blood as glutamine (GLN) targeted for renal consumption and base generation. Because GLN removed by the kidneys during acidosis is a major drain on the GLN available to other sites, subsequent deprivation may lead to impaired organ function. Conversely, GLN supplementation may spare endogenous supplies and restore organ function. To test this, Sprague-Dawley rats weighing between 250 and 350 g were pair-fed elemental diets supplemented with GLN 4.9 g/L (GLN-ED) or an equivalent mixture of neutral amino acids substituted for GLN (ED). Acid loading was effected by adding hydrochloric acid to the liquid diet (110 mmol/L). Animals were studied in metabolic cages for five consecutive 24-hour urine collection periods and then anesthetized for short-term studies of interorgan fluxes and tissue GLN content. Acidosis effected an increase in ammonium nitrogen excretion (fivefold) and a reciprocal decrease (24%) in urea nitrogen excretion. Enteral GLN had no effect on the acidosis-effected ammonium (2170 +/- 71 vs 2059 +/- 361 mumol/100 g, ED vs GLN-ED, respectively) or urea excretion (5522 +/- 95 vs 5915 +/- 984 mumol/100 g, ED vs GLN-ED, respectively). Although arterial blood GLN was not increased in the GLN-ED group (531 +/- 58 vs 438 +/- 51 nmol/mL, p = .10), both liver and muscle GLN were elevated (11,650 +/- 1137 nmol/g vs 7063 +/- 578 and 5503 +/- 489 and 4742 +/- 333 nmol/g, respectively, each p < .05).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Acidosis↗

Short-term low-dose propofol anaesthesia associated with severe metabolic acidosis.

Propofol-induced metabolic acidosis is well recognised in the paediatric literature, but the existence of such a syndrome in adults remains contentious. In most reported cases, metabolic acidosis complicated prolonged administration of propofol in critically ill patients. We present a case of severe non-fatal reversible metabolic acidosis, without ventilatory depression or hypoxia, related to short-term propofol infusion in an adult during and after coronary artery bypass grafting. We suggest that lactic acidosis occurred in a genetically susceptible patient with an abnormality of mitochondrial function. This report discusses an unusual adverse effect of propofol anaesthesia and sedation and highlights the need for further investigation to define propofol toxicity.

Acidosis↗

An experimental analysis of the catecholamines in hyperglycemia and acidosis induced rat brain.

Hyperglycemia and acidosis are the hallmark of diabetes. Since these factors play an important role in the diabetic complications, we have studied the brain catecholamine levels in hyperglycemic and acidotic conditions per se. Experimentally induced hyperglycemia and acidosis are accompanied by significant alterations in the catecholamine levels in discrete areas of the brain. We and others have shown that chronic or acute diabetes in animals as well as in human results in altered neurotransmitter levels. In the present study, hyperglycemia maintained by daily external administration of glucose for thirty days showed increased level of dopamine in striatum and hippocampus, elevation of norepinephrine in hippocampus, and increased level of epinephrine in hypothalamus, midbrain and pons medulla. The ammonium chloride induced acidosis demonstrated significant elevation of dopamine in midbrain and significant increase of norepinephrine in hypothalamus and midbrain, and increased level of epinephrine in hypothalamus, pons medulla and cerebral cortex. On the other hand, sodium acetoacetate induced acidosis did not show any significant change in the level of catecholamines in any of the areas studied. In conclusion, the changes in catecholamine levels observed in experimentally induced hyperglycemic as well as in acidotic conditions are closely related to the changes observed in spontaneous or alloxan or streptozotocin diabetic animals, thereby suggesting that these conditions may be responsible for the changes observed in diabetic animals.

Acidosis↗

Hypopotassemic paralysis: a rare presentation of proximal renal tubular acidosis.

Neurologic manifestations can accompany systemic diseases, and primary disease can be identified with a careful history, physical examination, and laboratory investigations. A 14-year-old girl with paraplegia and absence of deep tendon reflexes in the lower extremities after 2 days of vomiting and diarrhea was referred to our pediatric neurology department with a diagnosis of Guillain-Barré syndrome. Short stature, dehydration, motor and mental retardation, bilateral cataracts, glaucoma, and band keratopathy were detected on physical examination. Hypopotassemia and severe metabolic acidosis were found on biochemical examination. Her paraplegia improved after appropriate fluid and electrolyte replacement, but metabolic acidosis persisted after cessation of intravenous therapy, and isolated proximal renal tubular acidosis was detected. Because she had isolated proximal renal tubular acidosis and other abnormalities, she was diagnosed with Donckerwolcke-Winsnes syndrome.

Acidosis, Renal Tubular↗

Lactic acidosis: from sour milk to septic shock.

Lactic acidosis is frequently encountered in the intensive care unit. It occurs when there is an imbalance between production and clearance of lactate. Although lactic acidosis is often associated with a high anion gap and is generally defined as a lactate level >5 mmol/L and a serum pH <7.35, the presence of hypoalbuminemia may mask the anion gap and concomitant alkalosis may raise the pH. The causes of lactic acidosis are traditionally divided into impaired tissue oxygenation (Type A) and disorders in which tissue oxygenation is maintained (Type B). Lactate level is often used as a prognostic indicator and may be predictive of a favorable outcome if it normalizes within 48 hours. The routine measurement of serum lactate, however, should not determine therapeutic interventions. Unfortunately, treatment options remain limited and should be aimed at discontinuation of any offending drugs, treatment of the underlying pathology, and maintenance of organ perfusion. The mainstay of therapy of lactic acidosis remains prevention.

Acidosis, Lactic↗

Phenformin-induced lactic acidosis: a forgotten adverse drug reaction.

OBJECTIVE: To document a case of severe metabolic and lactic acidosis secondary to phenformin. This adverse effect has almost been forgotten as 15 years have passed since its withdrawal from the US market. CASE SUMMARY: A 64-year-old man presented with a four-day history of left upper abdominal pain and a one-week history of constipation and diarrhea. His arterial blood gases were pH 6.7, pCO2 2.80 kPa, and pO2 12.00 kPa with 90% oxygen saturation on room air. Serum chemistries indicated an unmeasurable serum bicarbonate concentration, anion gap 52 mmol/L, lactate concentration 29.5 mmol/L, blood urea nitrogen 6.63 mmol/L, creatinine 229.84 mumol/L, and blood glucose 4.35 mmol/L. There were low levels of urine and serum ketones. In the emergency department, he required resuscitation for hypotension and bradycardia. His diagnosis was lactic and ketoacidosis secondary to phenformin. The patient was treated with NaCl 0.9%, sodium bicarbonate, insulin, and hemodialysis. Although he survived the initial insult of lactic and ketoacidosis, his hospital course was complicated and he died on hospital day 105. CONCLUSIONS: Treatment of lactic acidosis is difficult and challenging. The continued availability of phenformin in neighboring countries, and the renewed interest in biguanide therapy for treating diabetes mellitus make it an important diagnosis of exclusion in diabetic patients who present with severe acidosis. Metformin, another biguanide under investigation for the treatment of diabetes mellitus, is associated with a much lower incidence of lactic acidosis than is phenformin.

Acidosis, Lactic↗

Increased blood flow prevents intramucosal acidosis in sheep endotoxemia: a controlled study.

INTRODUCTION: Increased intramucosal-arterial carbon dioxide tension (PCO2) difference (DeltaPCO2) is common in experimental endotoxemia. However, its meaning remains controversial because it has been ascribed to hypoperfusion of intestinal villi or to cytopathic hypoxia. Our hypothesis was that increased blood flow could prevent the increase in DeltaPCO2. METHODS: In 19 anesthetized and mechanically ventilated sheep, we measured cardiac output, superior mesenteric blood flow, lactate, gases, hemoglobin and oxygen saturations in arterial, mixed venous and mesenteric venous blood, and ileal intramucosal PCO2 by saline tonometry. Intestinal oxygen transport and consumption were calculated. After basal measurements, sheep were assigned to the following groups, for 120 min: (1) sham (n = 6), (2) normal blood flow (n = 7) and (3) increased blood flow (n = 6). Escherichia coli lipopolysaccharide (5 microg/kg) was injected in the last two groups. Saline solution was used to maintain blood flood at basal levels in the sham and normal blood flow groups, or to increase it to about 50% of basal in the increased blood flow group. RESULTS: In the normal blood flow group, systemic and intestinal oxygen transport and consumption were preserved, but DeltaPCO2 increased (basal versus 120 min endotoxemia, 7 +/- 4 versus 19 +/- 4 mmHg; P < 0.001) and metabolic acidosis with a high anion gap ensued (arterial pH 7.39 versus 7.35; anion gap 15 +/- 3 versus 18 +/- 2 mmol/l; P < 0.001 for both). Increased blood flow prevented the elevation in DeltaPCO2 (5 +/- 7 versus 9 +/- 6 mmHg; P = not significant). However, anion-gap metabolic acidosis was deeper (7.42 versus 7.25; 16 +/- 3 versus 22 +/- 3 mmol/l; P < 0.001 for both). CONCLUSIONS: In this model of endotoxemia, intramucosal acidosis was corrected by increased blood flow and so might follow tissue hypoperfusion. In contrast, anion-gap metabolic acidosis was left uncorrected and even worsened with aggressive volume expansion. These results point to different mechanisms generating both alterations.

Acid-Base Equilibrium↗

Metabolic acidosis developing during cardiopulmonary bypass is related to a decrease in strong ion difference.

Metabolic acidosis is a frequent complication of cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB). Commonly, its cause is ascribed to hypoperfusion; however, iatrogenic causes, related to the composition and volume of intravascular fluids that are administered, are increasingly being recognized. The aim of this study was to determine if metabolic acidosis during CPB was associated with hypoperfusion, change in strong ion difference (SID) or haemodilution. Forty-nine patients undergoing cardiac surgery using CPB in the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh (RIE) or the HCI, Clydebank were included in the study. Arterial blood samples were aspirated before induction of anaesthesia and the end of CPB. Samples were subjected to blood gas analysis and measurement of electrolytes and lactate. Changes in concentrations were then calculated. Change variables that were found to be significant (p < 0.1) univariate correlates of the change in hydrogen ion concentration were identified and entered into a multivariate regression model with hydrogen ion concentration at the end of CPB as the outcome variable (r2 = 0.65, p < 0.001). Change variance in hydrogen ion concentration was created by first entering the baseline hydrogen ion concentration into the model. Next, any variance resulting from the respiratory component of acidosis was removed by entering the change in arterial carbon dioxide tension (regression coefficient (beta)=0.67, p < 0.01). Change in SID (beta = -0.34, p < 0.01) and surgical institution (beta = 0.40, p < 0.01) were then found to be predictors of the remaining variance whilst change in concentration of lactate (beta in = 0.16, p = 0.07) and volume of intravascular fluid that was administered (beta = -0.07, p = 0.52) were rejected from the model. These findings suggest that the metabolic acidosis developing during CPB is partially the result of iatrogenic decrease in SID rather than hypoperfusion, as estimated by lactate concentration, or haemodilution.

Acid-Base Equilibrium↗