[Urinary-blood delta PCO2 in renal tubular acidosis (author's transl)]

A state of renal tubular acidosis has been produced in rats by the administration of sodium maleate or acetazolamide (proximal tubular acidosis) and of lithium chloride of amiloride (distal tubular acidosis). During progressive alkaline diuresis, delta PCO2 (urine minus blood PCO2) increases significantly in rats presenting proximal tubular acidosis. Delta PCO2 is significantly depressed in rats presenting distal tubular acidosis. In well defined conditions of bicarbonate or phosphate excretion, delta PCO2 is a valuable index of distal ion secretion.