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Bicarbonate attenuates intracellular acidosis
H B Nielsen1, L Hein, L B Svendsen
1Copenhagen Muscle Research Center, Department of Anaesthesia, Rigshospitalet, University of Copenhagen, Denmark. h.bay@dadlnet.dk
Acta Anaesthesiologica Scandinavica
|May 25, 2002
Summary
Intravenous bicarbonate administration during exercise-induced acidosis improved blood buffering and attenuated intracellular muscle pH decline. This study investigated bicarbonate
Area of Science:
- Exercise physiology
- Biochemistry
- Medical research
Background:
- Concerns exist regarding bicarbonate therapy worsening intracellular acidosis.
- Skeletal muscle intracellular pH (pHi) was evaluated in healthy subjects.
- 31P-magnetic resonance spectroscopy was used during handgrip exercise.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the effect of bicarbonate on intracellular pH during exercise-induced acidosis.
- To assess the impact of bicarbonate on blood buffering capacity.
Main Methods:
- Healthy subjects underwent a cross-over study design.
- Intravenous bicarbonate or saline infusions were administered.
- Rhythmic handgrip exercise was performed to induce acidosis.
Main Results:
- Exercise caused significant muscle acidosis (pHi 6.36 +/- 0.08) and increased lactate.
- Bicarbonate infusion raised arterial blood bicarbonate levels and pH.
- Bicarbonate attenuated the decrease in intracellular muscle pH (6.60 +/- 0.11 vs. 6.40 +/- 0.12).
Conclusions:
- Intravenous bicarbonate enhances blood buffering capacity during exercise-induced metabolic acidosis.
- Bicarbonate administration mitigates the decline in intracellular muscle pH.
- A minor increase in arterial carbon dioxide pressure was observed with bicarbonate treatment.