Brain pH effects of NaHCO3 and Carbicarb in lactic acidosis.

Abstract

The effects of iv sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO3) and Carbicarb, an experimental buffer, were compared in a rat model of lactic acidosis induced by controlled hemorrhage and asphyxia. Although both NaHCO3 and Carbicarb were effective at alkalinizing the arterial blood in this model, NaHCO3 administration resulted in a rise in PaCO2 where Carbicarb did not (+9 +/- 2 vs. +2 +/- 2 torr at 2 min after infusion, p less than .01). Moreover, NaHCO3 resulted in a small decrease in intracellular brain pH as measured with P-31 nuclear magnetic resonance where Carbicarb afforded intracellular brain alkalinization (-0.03 +/- 0.01 vs. +0.08 +/- 0.02 pH units at 2 min, p less than .01). If these data are confirmed clinically, Carbicarb may offer advantages over NaHCO3 under conditions of fixed or limited ventilation.

• Authors: R R Kucera, J I Shapiro, M A Whalen, N B Kindig, G F Filley, L Chan
• Journal: Critical care medicine (Crit Care Med) Vol. 17 Issue 12 Pg. 1320-3 (Dec 1989) ISSN: 0090-3493 [Print] United States
• PMID: 2556245 (Publication Type: Comparative Study, Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't, Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S., Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.)

Chemical References

• Bicarbonates
• Carbonates
• Drug Combinations
• sodium bicarbonate, sodium carbonate drug combination
• Carbon Dioxide
• Sodium Bicarbonate
• Sodium

Topics

• Acidosis, Lactic (drug therapy)
• Animals
• Bicarbonates (pharmacology)
• Brain (metabolism)
• Carbon Dioxide (blood)
• Carbonates (pharmacology)
• Drug Combinations (pharmacology)
• Hydrogen-Ion Concentration
• Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy
• Partial Pressure
• Rats
• Sodium (pharmacology)
• Sodium Bicarbonate