The existence of chloride/bicarbonate exchange across the basolateral membrane and its physiologic significance were examined in rabbit proximal tubules. S2 segments of the proximal straight tubule were perfused in vitro and changes in intracellular pH (pHi) and chloride activity (aCli) were monitored by double-barreled microelectrodes. Total peritubular chloride replacement with gluconate incr...

Background Recently, supplementation of L-carnitine to obese rats was found to improve the carnitine status and to counteract an obesity-induced muscle fiber transition from type I to type II. However, it has not been resolved if the change of muscle fiber distribution induced in obese rats and the restoration of the "normal" muscle fiber distribution, which is found in lean rats, in obese rats...

Adverse reactions to commonly prescribed medications and to substances of abuse may result in severe toxicity associated with increased morbidity and mortality. According to the Center for Disease Control, in 2013, at least 2113 human fatalities attributed to poisonings occurred in the United States of America. In this article, we review the data regarding the impact of systemic sodium bicarbon...

BACKGROUND Preliminary evidence suggests a nephroprotective effect of urinary alkalinization in patients at risk of acute kidney injury. In this study, we tested whether prophylactic bicarbonate-based infusion reduces the incidence of acute kidney injury and tubular damage in patients undergoing open heart surgery. METHODS AND FINDINGS In a multicenter, double-blinded (patients, clinical and ...

Background: Major acid-base variations during dialysis and the imbalances in serum calcium levels intensified by them play a role in cardiovascular damage of hemodialysis patients. Early vascular walls modifications can be objectified by determining the pulse wave velocity (PWV) – a marker of vascular stiffness that is associated with increased risk of cardiovascular events. Material and method...

BACKGROUND Guidelines recommend saline hydration for prophylaxis of contrast-induced acute kidney injury (CI-AKI) in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) undergoing intravenous contrast media-enhanced CT (CE-CT). The safety and efficacy of a brief hydration protocol using sodium bicarbonate in this population is unknown. We analysed whether 1-h sodium bicarbonate hydration prior to CE-CT ...

Sir, In a previous communication, about 10 years ago, we presented two patients with erythrocytosis associated with renal tubular acidosis type-I (RTA-I). At that time their work-up had revealed severe metabolic acidosis, alkaline urine, hypokalaemia, hypocitraturia, extensive nephro-calcinosis and increased serum eythropoietin levels, despite abnormally elevated haematocrit values. Therefore, ...

Acute hypoxia causes hyperventilation and respiratory alkalosis, often combined with increased diuresis, sodium-, potassiumand bicarbonate excretion. On a low sodium intake the excretion of the anion bicarbonate may be limited by the lower excretion rate of the cation sodium through activated sodium retaining mechanisms. This study investigates whether the short-term renal compensation of hypox...