Lactic acidosis transiently increases metabolic rate of turtle myocytes

We measured O2 consumption as an estimate of metabolic rate in isolated calcium-tolerant ventricular myocytes of turtles (Chrysemys picta belli) at control pH 7.8 and in the same solution brought to pH 7.4 and 7.0 with additions of lactic acid. Our aim was to test the hypothesis that lactic acidosis caused metabolic depression by initiating downregulation of Na+ channels, and thus Na(+)-K(+)-ATPase (Na+ pump) activity, which we would measure as a decrease in O2 consumption. Myocyte O2 consumption was measured in reptilian N-tris(hydroxymethyl)methyl-2-aminoethanesulfonic acid-buffered Ringer solution and in nomially Na(+)- and Ca(2+)-free solution, thus estimating the Na+ pump component of metabolic rate. Lowering extracellular pH from 7.8 to 7.0 resulted in a significant increase in metabolic rate of cells in Ringer solution but not those in Na(+)- and Ca(2+)-free solution. This result was unchanged by the addition of 2 mM Ca2+ to Na(+)-free cell suspensions, indicating that the difference was due to the presence of Na+. Addition of 100 microM amiloride to cells in Ringer solution at pH 7.0 abolished the increase in O2 consumption, suggesting that the apparent increase in Na(+)-K(+)-ATPase activity was secondary to Na(+)-H+ exchange. Intracellular pH was measured using 5,5-dimethyl[14C]oxazolidine-2,4-dione. Cells treated with amiloride and those in Na(+)- and Ca(2+)-free solution did not regulate intracellular pH following acidosis and maintained basal metabolic rate. These data suggest that the Na(+)-H+ exchanger is an important contributor to intracellular pH regulation in the myocyte but increases Na+ pump activity and metabolic rate immediately following acidosis.