The Pathogenesis Of Hypochloremia in Respiratory Acidosis1

Open Access
Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
In the rat, the hypochloremia which develops during exposure to 8% CO2 in air is the result of a net loss of Cl in excess of Na in the urine. The increased excretion of Cl is associated but not directly correlated with an increased excretion of ammonium, K and P. These changes were observed in rats maintained on a Na-free diet as well as in rats ingesting and excreting liberal amounts of Na, suggesting that expansion and dilution of the extracellular fluid with reabsorbed sodium bicarbonate are not responsible for the chloruresis. It is suggested that an increase in pCO2 may induce the observed renal losses of Cl by directly interfering with the tubular reabsorption of the Cl ion.