ACID-BASE BALANCE, RENAL FUNCTION, AND GASTRIC SECRETION DURING HYPOCHLOREMIA IN THE DOG 1

Abstract

In an effort to clarify the subject of extrarenal azotemia, the acid-base balance and renal function of 2 dogs were studied during a hypochloremia induced gradually by the intermittent withdrawal of gastric juice. An analysis also was made of the histamine-stimu-lated gastric secretion removed during these expts. The dogs received a generous diet low in Cl content, and a liberal allowance of chloride-free water. In one dog the serum Cl decreased from 105.5 mM per liter to 46.8; the CO2 rose to 562 mM per liter and the pH to 7.63. In the 2nd dog, the serum Cl decreased from 107.3 mM per liter to 38.9; the CO2 rose to 57.5 mM per liter and the pH to 7.72. The blood urea N during hypochloremia ranged from 13.3 to 19.7 mg.% in one animal and from 16.8 to 28.6 mg.% in the 2d day. The urea clearance remained normal throughout, but the excretion of ingested water was delayed as the chloride deficiency became intense. The secretion of hydrochloric acid by the gastric mucosa was relatively uninfluenced by the profound hypochloremia. Ca precipitation was observed in the renal collecting tubules in one animal. A severe alkalosis may be induced by the gradual withdrawal of gastric contents without marked N retention; such an alkalosis apparently does not produce renal injury detectable either by the urea clearance test or by histologic examination.