Effect of short‐term C02‐breathing on the C02 content and intracellular pH in skeletal muscle of man

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Abstract
Summary. Subjects inhaled air with 8% CO2 for 10 min. Carbon dioxide tension in arterial blood increased rapidly from about 5 kPa to 7 kPa, whereas venous C02 tension increased more slowly, reaching the arterial value at the end of the CO2‐breathing period. Muscle content of total CO2 (HCO3‐ H2CO3, solubilized CO2) did not change during CO2‐breathing or the following 15 min of recovery. However, when CO2‐breathing was combined with light bicycle exercise, total CO2 increased by 30%. This could be an effect of both increased local circulation and increased endogenous CO2 production in the muscle. It is concluded that 10 min CO2‐breathing alone is insufficient to affect CO2 content and intracellular pH in resting skeletal muscle.