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Induction of acute metabolic acid/base changes in humans
M J van de Ven1, W N Colier, B Oeseburg
1Department of Pulmonology Dekkerswald, University of Nijmegen, Groesbeek, The Netherlands.
Clinical Physiology (Oxford, England)
|August 19, 1999
Summary
This study successfully induced acute metabolic acidosis using ammonium chloride and alkalosis with furosemide in healthy volunteers. These controlled acid-base changes are valuable for future respiratory research.
Area of Science:
- Physiology
- Clinical Research
- Acid-Base Balance
Background:
- Investigating respiratory parameters requires controlled metabolic acid-base conditions.
- Previous methods for inducing these conditions may lack precision or stability.
Purpose of the Study:
- To establish reliable methods for inducing acute metabolic acidosis and alkalosis.
- To achieve specific changes in base excess (BE) of > or = 2 mequiv.l-1.
- To prepare for future studies on respiratory function under altered acid-base states.
Main Methods:
- Administered ammonium chloride (NH4Cl) to induce metabolic acidosis.
- Administered furosemide to induce metabolic alkalosis.
- Measured arterialized capillary blood gases in 9 (NH4Cl) and 8 (furosemide) healthy volunteers over 180 minutes.
Main Results:
- Ammonium chloride induced target acidosis within 30 min, reaching a maximum change of -4.9 mequiv.l-1 at 90 min.
- Furosemide induced target alkalosis between 120-180 min, with a maximum change of +2.2 mequiv.l-1 at 180 min.
- Significant acid-base changes were observed, while PaCO2 remained stable, indicating isocapnic buffering.
Conclusions:
- Ammonium chloride and furosemide effectively induce pure metabolic acid-base disturbances in humans.
- These induced states are buffered isocapnically, meaning carbon dioxide levels remain constant.
- The study provides a validated model for future research on respiratory responses to metabolic acid-base changes.