Control of steady-state pH in rabbit proximal straight tubules

Steady-state pH (defined as the limiting pH reached at slow flow rates) was measured in isolated perfused rabbit proximal straight tubules (S2). With normal bath conditions (pH 7.4, bicarbonate 25 mM) the luminal steady-state pH was 6.85. Steady-state pH was directly related to bath pH and bicarbonate, but not to bath PCO2. Lowering of bath pH or bicarbonate consistently decreased luminal steady-state pH, and raising either caused steady-state pH to increase. When bath PCO2 was increased, on the other hand, steady-state pH either increased or decreased, depending on the concomitant changes in bicarbonate and pH. The changes in steady-state pH observed in the present studies following alterations in bath pH and bicarbonate concentration should, when extrapolated to the in vivo kidney, result in decreased delivery of bicarbonate from the proximal tubule in acidosis and increased delivery in alkalosis. The effects of potassium and chloride were also determined. Removal of potassium from the bath increased the steady-state pH, but removal of chloride from both the perfusate and bath had no significant effect.