Intracellular Acid-Base Relations of Dog Brain with Reference to the Brain Extracellular Volume *

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Abstract
Measurements of brain intracellular pH under varying experimental conditions have been performed using the DMO technique. These data indicate that there is a substantial hydrogen ion gradient between plasma and brain water. Acute changes in extracellular pH produced by the inhalation of CO2 gas are rapidly reflected in changes of pH in brain water, whereas acute changes in extracellular pH produced by Na-HCO3, HC1, and Tris infusion are not. The distribution of DMO between plasma and brain water suggests that the upper limit of brain ECF is about 20% (about 14% calculated as percentage of brain weight) and, accordingly, that some of the brain chloride is intracellular.