Renal action of acetazolamide in extracellular alkalosis of K⁺ deficiency

Abstract

Acetazolamide was tested in the extracellular alkalosis of K+ depletion, a metabolic situation which presumably elicits a general intracellular acidosis, demonstrated for both muscle and kidney. The renal effect of drug on HCO3– excretion was markedly less than normal despite elevated plasma HCO3– concentration. These experiments, together with those on metabolic and respiratory acidosis, suggest that with decreased intracellular renal pH, the role of carbonic anhydrase in renal acidification and HCO3– reabsorption is reduced.