TY - JOUR

T1 - Acid–base balance and cerebrovascular regulation

AU - Caldwell, Hannah Grace

AU - Carr, Jay M J R

AU - Minhas, Jatinder S

AU - Swenson, Erik R

AU - Ainslie, Philip N

N1 - Publisher Copyright: © 2021 The Authors. The Journal of Physiology © 2021 The Physiological Society

PY - 2021

Y1 - 2021

N2 - The regulation and defence of intracellular pH is essential for homeostasis. Indeed, alterations in cerebrovascular acid–base balance directly affect cerebral blood flow (CBF) which has implications for human health and disease. For example, changes in CBF regulation during acid–base disturbances are evident in conditions such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and diabetic ketoacidosis. The classic experimental studies from the past 75+ years are utilized to describe the integrative relationships between CBF, carbon dioxide tension (PCO2), bicarbonate (HCO3–) and pH. These factors interact to influence (1) the time course of acid–base compensatory changes and the respective cerebrovascular responses (due to rapid exchange kinetics between arterial blood, extracellular fluid and intracellular brain tissue). We propose that alterations in arterial [HCO3–] during acute respiratory acidosis/alkalosis contribute to cerebrovascular acid–base regulation; and (2) the regulation of CBF by direct changes in arterial vs. extravascular/interstitial PCO2 and pH – the latter recognized as the proximal compartment which alters vascular smooth muscle cell regulation of CBF. Taken together, these results substantiate two key ideas: first, that the regulation of CBF is affected by the severity of metabolic/respiratory disturbances, including the extent of partial/full acid–base compensation; and second, that the regulation of CBF is independent of arterial pH and that diffusion of CO2 across the blood–brain barrier is integral to altering perivascular extracellular pH. Overall, by realizing the integrative relationships between CBF, PCO2, HCO3– and pH, experimental studies may provide insights to improve CBF regulation in clinical practice with treatment of systemic acid–base disorders.

AB - The regulation and defence of intracellular pH is essential for homeostasis. Indeed, alterations in cerebrovascular acid–base balance directly affect cerebral blood flow (CBF) which has implications for human health and disease. For example, changes in CBF regulation during acid–base disturbances are evident in conditions such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and diabetic ketoacidosis. The classic experimental studies from the past 75+ years are utilized to describe the integrative relationships between CBF, carbon dioxide tension (PCO2), bicarbonate (HCO3–) and pH. These factors interact to influence (1) the time course of acid–base compensatory changes and the respective cerebrovascular responses (due to rapid exchange kinetics between arterial blood, extracellular fluid and intracellular brain tissue). We propose that alterations in arterial [HCO3–] during acute respiratory acidosis/alkalosis contribute to cerebrovascular acid–base regulation; and (2) the regulation of CBF by direct changes in arterial vs. extravascular/interstitial PCO2 and pH – the latter recognized as the proximal compartment which alters vascular smooth muscle cell regulation of CBF. Taken together, these results substantiate two key ideas: first, that the regulation of CBF is affected by the severity of metabolic/respiratory disturbances, including the extent of partial/full acid–base compensation; and second, that the regulation of CBF is independent of arterial pH and that diffusion of CO2 across the blood–brain barrier is integral to altering perivascular extracellular pH. Overall, by realizing the integrative relationships between CBF, PCO2, HCO3– and pH, experimental studies may provide insights to improve CBF regulation in clinical practice with treatment of systemic acid–base disorders.

KW - Acidosis

KW - Acid–base balance

KW - Alkalosis

KW - Carbon dioxide

KW - Cerebral blood flow

U2 - 10.1113/JP281517

DO - 10.1113/JP281517

M3 - Review

C2 - 34705265

AN - SCOPUS:85120316980

VL - 599

SP - 5337

EP - 5359

JO - The Journal of Physiology

JF - The Journal of Physiology

SN - 0022-3751

IS - 24

ER -