Changes in brain surface pH during acute isocapnic metabolic acidosis and alkalosis

It has been thought that the blood-brain barrier is relatively impermeable to changes in arterial blood H+ and OH- concentrations. We have measured the brain surface pH during 30 min of isocapnic metabolic acidosis or alkalosis induced by intravenous infusion of 0.2 N HCl or NaOH in anesthetized dogs. The mean brain surface pH fell significantly by 0.06 and rose by 0.04 pH units during HCl or NaOH infusion, respectively. Respective changes were also observed in the calculated cerebral interstitial fluid [HCO-3]. There were no significant changes in cisternal cerebrospinal fluid acid-base variables. It is concluded that changes in arterial blood H+ and OH- concentrations are reflected in brain surface pH relatively quickly. Such changes may contribute to acute respiratory adaptations in metabolic acidosis and alkalosis.