Coupling among changes in energy metabolism, acid-base homeostasis, and ion fluxes in ischemia

Abstract

This article attempts correlating changes in cellular energy metabolism, acid-base alterations, and ion homeostasis in ischemia and other conditions. It is emphasized that loss of ion homeostasis, with thermodynamically downhill fluxes of K+, Ca2+, Na+, Cl-, and H+, occurs because energy production fails and (or) ion conductances are increased. In ischemia, energy failure is the leading event but, in hypoglycemia, activation of ion conductances is what precipitates energy failure. The initial event is a rise in K+ e, at least in part caused by activation of K+ conductances modulated by Ca2+ or ATP/ADP ratio. Secondarily, this leads to release of excitatory amino acids and massive activation of unspecific cation (and anion) conductances. Production of H+ occurs in states characterized by energy failure (ischemia and hypoxia) or by alkalosis (hypocapnia and ammonia accumulation). H+ equilibrates between intra- and extra-cellular fluid via nonionic diffusion of lactic acid, and transmembrane fluxes of H+ or HCO3- via ion channels. Since the relationship between lactate and either pHi or pHe is linear, there are no abrupt pH shifts explaining why hyperglycemia worsens ischemic damage. The reversible insults seem to induce a sustained stimulation of H+ extrusion from cells giving rise to intracellular alkalosis and extracellular acidosis.