Effects of carbonic anhydrase inhibition on renal ammoniagenesis in the dog

Acetazolamide was administered to normal dogs and its effects on total renal ammoniagenesis and glutamine extraction were studied. Urinary alkalinization resulted in diversion of urinary ammonia into the renal vein with no change in ammonia production or glutamine extraction. It is concluded that, contrary to reports about the rat, carbonic anhydrase inhibition has no effect on ammoniagenesis in vivo in the dog.