Post-hypercapnia recovery in the dog: arterial blood acid-base equilibrium and glycolysis

Changes in acid-base equilibrium and blood lactate and pyruvate concentrations were studied during recovery (breathing room air) after three days hypercapnia (FICO2 = 0.10) in awake dogs. Fast return to FICO2 = 0 produced a slight alkalosis in arterial blood and an increase in lactate and pyruvate concentrations which seemed to be maximum at the 15th minute. These changes were inhibited by previous injection of acetazolamide (50 mg/kg body weight). During progressive return to FICO2 = 0, over 1 hour, the peak value of blood lactate and pyruvate was delayed until the end of that hour, at the same time as a slight blood alkalosis appeared. These phenomen are most probably explained by a stimulation, due to alkalosis, of glycolysis at the level of phosphofructokinase.