Acid and base balance - Renal 4 Flashcards
Learning outcomes
* Acid-base disturbance
* H+ handling secretion
* Bicarbonate buffering
* Acidosis and alkalosis – metabolic and respiratory
Arterial pH if it is?
Less than 6.8 / greater than 8 this is not compatible with life and death occurs
Optimal pH in the body?
7.4 is equivalent to 40nMols/L [H+]
Arterial and venous pH differ
What pH is acidosis?
Exists when blood pH falls below 7.35
What is Alkalosis?
Occurs when blood pH is above 7.45
Why is maintaining pH in the body so important? 3
- pH changes cause conformational changes in
proteins and can alter functions
e.g. enzyme activity is pH dependent - Nervous system function is v sensitive to pH changes, can lead to seizures, coma
- Cardiac arrhythmia: change in H+ ions can have domino effect on other ions and cause detrimental effects
While reabsorbing Na+ from the filtrate, renal tubular cells secrete?
Predominantly?
Changes in K+ leads to?
Either H+ or K+
Predominantly K+ but H+ secretion increases to
compensate for acidosis.
Changes in [K+] ECF can lead to cardiac abnormalities
SEE SLIDE 5
Antiport via same carrier proteins or other carrier proteins
Movement of K,H+Na ions is interlinked across membrane
Thus if pH changes this will have knock on effects -> Disturbingly wise
Sources of H+ gain? 4
- CO2 in blood (combine with H2O via carbonic anhydrase)
- Non-volatile acids from metabolism (e.g. lactic)
- Loss of HCO3 - in diarrhoea or nongastric GI fluids
- Loss of HCO3 - in urine
Sources of H+ loss? 3
- Loss of H+ in vomit
- Loss of H+ in urine
- Hyperventilation (blow off CO2)
What is an acid - Brønsted-Lowry definition?
An acid is a substance that donates protons
and a base is a substance that accepts
protons
A strong acid is?
An acid which is completely ionised in an aqueous solution
Completely dissociates from rest when in water
A weak acid is?
Is an acid that ionises only slightly in an aqueous solution
Not complete dissociation in every instance when acid is in water
What are buffers?
Buffers are balanced mixtures of a weak
acid and its conjugate base: substance that is formed when weak acid gives up its proton
Chemical buffer systems minimise changes in pH how?
By binding or yielding free H+
First line of defence
H2CO3: HCO3 buffer system major function?
Primarily ECF buffer against non-carbonic acid changes
Protein buffer system major functions?
Primary ICF buffer but also buffers ECF
Haemoglobin buffer system major function?
Primary buffer against carbonic acid changes
Phosphate buffer system major functions?
Important urinary buffer, also buffers ICF
Intracellular pH regulation occurs via what system?
See slide 9
Phosphate buffer system
Phosphate buffer system - in a test tube:
Add a strong acid to a mixture of these two substances (for example HCl): H+ is accepted by HPO4 2- producing H2PO4–
What is the result?
The strong acid is replaced by a weak acid, ‘buffering’ the decrease in pH.
Phosphate buffer system - in a test tube:
Add a strong base to a mixture of these two substances (for example NaOH) : H2PO4– donates a proton to OH– to form HPO4 2- + H2O.
What is the result?
The strong base is replaced by a weak base, ‘buffering’ the increase in pH.
ICF pH regulation: Phosphate buffer system
1. In acid solution what happens?
2. In basic solution what happens?
- In acidic solution: (HPO4)^2- accepts H^+ and caused an increase in pH.
- In basic solution: H2PO4 donates H+ and causes a decrease in pH.
Phosphate buffer system is important for buffering what?
What is this system made up of?
Within cells
Monohydrogen phosphate ions: (HPO4)^2-
Dihydrogen phosphate ions H2PO4-
HPO4^2- and H2PO4^- are what in terms of acids+ bases?
HPO4^-2 is conjugate base
H2PO4^- is a weak acid
Why does weak acid not have a huge effect on pH?
What is the net effect of taking strong acid and getting a weak one?
This weak acid made doesn’t cause such a lowering of pH compared to HCL as weak acid remains partially undisocsaited in ICF
Net effect is taking strong acid and getting a weak acid so we limit its effect on pH and buffered the effects of adding the strong acid
Intracellular protein
What are 2 examples of amino acids with acidic side chains?
What are they in terms of protons?
Glutamic acid and Aspartic Acid
Proton donors at pH 7.4 - They give up H+ion
ICF Protein
What are 3 examples of amino acids with basic side chains?
What are they in terms of protons?
Arginine, Lysine, and Histidine
Proton acceptors at pH 7.4 - They accept H+ ion
What can amino acids act as in terms of pH?
See slide 11
Amino acids in proteins can act as buffer to pH change
ECF pH regulation - major system for this is?
see slide 12 equation
Bicarbonate
To maintain a normal pH of 7.4 in the blood what ratio of bicarbonate to carbonic acid must be maintained?
20:1
ECF pH regulation is via?
Regulated by the medulla oblongata of the brainstem (which regulates breathing) and the kidneys
ECF pH is regulated by the medulla oblongata of the brainstem (which regulates breathing) and the kidneys: through what 2 compensation mechanisms?
Respiratory and renal compensation
Explain respiratory compensation for ECF pH regulation?
Respiratory compensation: The rate and/or depth of breathing can be changed to compensate for changes in the blood concentration of CO2
Release of CO2 from the lungs pushes the reaction above to the left, causing carbonic anhydrase to form CO2 until excess acid is
removed.
Symptoms of acidosis: ph < 7.45 in CNS, Respiratory system, Heart, Muscular system and digestive system
CNS: Headache, sleepiness, confusion, loss of consciousness, coma
Respiratory system: Shortness of breath, coughing
Heart: Arrhythmia, increased heart rate
Muscular system: Seizures and weakness
Digestive system: nausea, vomiting, diarrhea
Symptoms of alkalosis: pH > 7.45 in CNS, Respiratory system, PNS, Muscular system and digestive system
CNS: Confusion, light-headedness, stupor, coma
PNS: Hand tremor, numbness/tingling in the face, hands or feet
Muscular System: Twitching, prolonged spasms
Digestive system: Nausea, vomiting
Explain renal compensation for ECF pH regulation?
Bicarbonate concentration can be regulated by
the kidneys by secreting H+ into urine and reabsorbing HCO3 - into the blood, or vice versa