Acid base balance II Flashcards
Where are the CENTRAL chemoreceptors found?
In the central nervous system
What is the primary tonic driving force for normal breathing when the blood gas parameters are normal?
The central chemoreceptors
What is the main activator of the central chemoreceptors?
How is this different to peripheral chemoreceptors?
Hypercapnia (high CO2)
Peripheral chemoR - Hypoxia (low O2)
What actually activates the chemoR?
H+
If increase PCO2 from 40 to 45mmHg, what happens to the ventilation?
Doubles
Who discovered chemoreceptors?
Isidore Leusen
Where are the central chemoreceptors found?
- Within the BRAIN PARENCHYMA, bathed in brain extracellular fluid (BECF)
- Separated from the ARTERIAL blood supply BBB
- In the VENTROLATERAL MEDULLA and other BRAINSTEM NUCLEI
What is an important property of the BBB?
Poor ion solubility
BUT
CO2 can cross
What happens to the BECF when there is an increase ARTERIAL PCO2?
- This is reflected in the BECF (As CO2 can cross the BBB)
- Changing the pH of the BECF
- Stimulating the central chemoreceptors to signal to the brain
What is the buffering power of BECF?
Why?
What does this mean?
Lower than the plasma
But has a HCO3- buffering system
Due to LESS PROTEINS
Means:
- When there is a change in CO2 in the arterial blood supply, there is a larger change in pH the BECF than in the plasma
- System in the brain is MORE SENSITIVE
- Central chemoR are stimulated more strongly than peripheral chemoR
What can be used as a LONG-TERM compensation to minimise prolonged changes in pH in the BECF?
Upregulation of transportation of HCO3- from the blood into the BECF
How does metabolic acidosis effect the central chemoreceptors?
WEAK activation of the chemoreceptors:
- Metabolic means change in [H+]
- H+ cannot cross the BBB
- Smaller change in pH compared to the plasma
How does respiratory acidosis effect the central chemoreceptors, compared to metabolic acidosis?
10-35% increase in the pH compared to metabolic:
- CO2 passes the BBB
- pH in the BECF similar to that in the plasma
- Stronger stimulation for the same pH change in metabolic (H+ cannot cross)
What are the 2 types of central chemoreceptors?
What neurotransmitters do they release?
1) Acid ACTIVATED
- Release serotonin
2) Acid INHIBITED
- Release GABA
What chemoR are activated in respiratory acidosis?
BOTH central and peripheral
If O2 is normal, what % do central chemoreceptors play in acid base response in respiratory acidosis?
65-80%
In respiratory acidosis, which chemoR act first?
Peripheral
Why does severe metabolic acidosis lead to hyperventilation?
Rapidly decreases PCO2
In ACUTE metabolic acidosis, which chemoR are more important?
Peripheral
In CHRONIC metabolic acidosis, which chemoR are more important?
Central - long-term role
What happens when you breath FASTER?
1) Decrease in PCO2
2) Decrease in [H+]
3) Increase in pH (alkalosis)
4) INHIBIT chemoR
5) Decrease rate of breathing to reduce loss of CO2
What happens when you breath SLOWER?
1) Increase in PO2
2) Increase in [H+]
3) Decrease in pH (acidosis)
4) Activate ChemoR
5) Increase rate of breathing to increase loss of CO2
What is the ONLY system for the long-term regulation of acid base status of the body?
Kidney (Renal system)