Sodium-dependent, ethylisopropylamiloride-sensitive mechanisms regulate intracellular pH in human vascular smooth...

1. The pH-sensitive dye 2,7-biscarboxy-ethyl-5(6)-carboxyfluorescein (BCECF) was used to examine the contribution of Na(+)-H+ exchange and bicarbonate-dependent processes to intracellular pH (pHi) regulation in cultured human vascular smooth muscle. 2. The recovery of pHi following an NH4Cl-induced acidosis was Na(+)-dependent and could be inhibited by ethylisopropylamiloride (200 mumols/L). Recovery was unaffected by the anion exchange inhibitor 4-acetamido-4'-isothio-cyano-stilbene-2,2'-disulfonic acid (200 mumols/L). 3. Recovery from intracellular acidosis was more rapid when bicarbonate ions were present in the extracellular medium. 4. The results suggest that Na(+)-H+ exchange as well as an Na(+)-dependent bicarbonate process, which can be inhibited by ethylisopropylamiloride, can influence the ability of smooth muscle to recover from intracellular acidosis.