pH and PCO2 profiles of the rat inner medullary collecting duct

To directly characterize acidification by the collecting duct, we developed pH and PCO2 microelectrodes suitable for microcatheterization of the inner medullary collecting duct (IMCD). In saline-infused control rats apparent in situ pH fell significantly along the IMCD, from 5.95 at 60% length to 5.49 at the papilla tip. Luminal PCO2 averaged 34 +/- 1 mmHg and PD averaged +3 mV. In rats acutely infused with 0.1 N HCl, apparent in situ pH also decreased significantly from 5.56 to 5.28, PD averaged +2 mV, and luminal PCO2 31 +/- 1 mmHg. The luminal PCO2 of HCl-infused rats was significantly less than controls and both levels were significantly below arterial PCO2. Corroborating the in situ pH profiles, equilibrium pH measured on collected IMCD samples also decreased significantly with percent length. In samples measured in situ and at equilibrium, a small but significant acid disequilibrium pH ws seen in both groups. We interpret these results to indicate that the IMCD actively participates in distal acidification. It is proposed that acidification by the IMCD is predominantly mediated by hydrogen ion secretion which simultaneously acidifies luminal fluid and generates a cellular sink for CO2, thereby inducing an acid disequilibrium pH by two mechanisms.