Background
The kidneys maintain acid-base homeostasis through excretion of acid as either ammonium or as titratable acids (TA) that primarily use phosphate as a buffer. In CKD, ammoniagenesis is impaired, promoting metabolic acidosis. Metabolic acidosis stimulates phosphaturic hormones, parathyroid hormone (PTH) and fibroblast growth factor 23 (FGF-23) in vitro, possibly to increase urine TA buffers, but this has not been confirmed in humans. We hypothesized that higher acid load and acidosis would associate with altered phosphorus homeostasis including higher urinary phosphorus, PTH and FGF-23.
Study Design
Cross-sectional
Setting & Participants
980 participants with CKD enrolled in the Chronic Renal Insufficiency Cohort (CRIC) Study
Predictors
Net acid excretion as measured in 24-hour urine, potential renal acid load (PRAL) estimated from food frequency questionnaire responses, and serum bicarbonate < 22 mEq/L
Outcome & Measurements
24h urine phosphorus and calcium; serum phosphorus, FGF-23, and PTH
Results
Using linear and log-linear regression adjusted for demographics, kidney function, comorbidities, body mass index, diuretic use and 24h urine creatinine, we found that 24h urine phosphorus was higher at higher net acid excretion, higher PRAL, and lower serum bicarbonate (each p<0.05). Serum phosphorus was also higher with higher net acid excretion and lower serum bicarbonate (each p=0.001). Only higher net acid excretion associated with higher 24h urine calcium excretion (p<0.001). Neither net acid excetion nor PRAL were associated with FGF-23 or PTH. PTH, but not FGF-23 (p=0.2), was 26% (95% CI, 13%-40%) higher in participants with a serum bicarbonate 22< vs ≥22 mEq/L (P<0.001). Primary results were similar if stratified by eGFR categories, or if adjusted for iothalamate GFR (n=359), total energy intake, dietary phosphorus or urine urea nitrogen, where available.
Limitations
Possible residual confounding by kidney function or nutrition; urine phosphorus was included in calculation of the titratable acid component of net acid excretion
Conclusions
In CKD, higher acid load and acidosis associates independently with increased circulating phosphorus and augmented phosphaturia, but not consistently with FGF-23 or PTH. This may be an adaptation that increases TA excretion, and thus helps maintain acid-base homeostasis in CKD. Understanding if administration of base can lower phosphorus requires testing in interventional trials.