Activity-related pH changes in respiratory neurones and glial cells of cats

Intracellular pH (pHi) and membrane potential (Em) were measured in vivo in expiratory neurones and glial cells in the medulla of anaesthetized cats using double-barrelled H(+)-sensitive microelectrodes. In glial cells, stimulation of spinal pathways evoked a depolarization of up to 12 mV amplitude and an increase of pHi (7.25 +/- 0.15) by maximally 0.1 pH unit. IN expiratory neurones, pHi (7.15 +/- 0.18) fell by up to 0.2 pH unit during inspiratory inhibition. In axons of expiratory neurones, pHi remained unaffected during rhythmic action potential discharges. We suggest that the glial alkalinization is due to activation of Na+/HCO3- cotransport, whereas the neuronal acidification is caused by efflux of HCO3- via receptor-coupled anion channels.