THE RÔLE OF LACTIC ACID IN THE MOVEMENTS OF POTASSIUM

Abstract

In progressive acute hemorrhage in cats the lactic acid increases in the blood more than the K (in equivalents) while in acute asphyxia from clamping the trachea and after inj. of adrenalin the increment in K is more than twice the increment in lactic acid. In venous blood from muscles in cats the increment of K resulting from stimulation and contraction of the muscles is more or less equal to (or less than) the increment in lactic acid but the rise in lactic acid begins later and reaches its maximum later than the rise in K. The increment in K is perceptible in the first 10 secs. after the onset of contraction. In perfusions of frog muscles there is a similar increase of K and lactic acid in the blood as a result of contraction and these increases are completely abolished by curare. In the same prep. iodoacetic acid abolishes or much diminishes the increment of lactic acid due to stimulation with little or much less effect on the K. Measurements of pH show that K does not enter or leave the blood to any extent as KOH. It is also evident that it can enter or leave without lactic acid.