Chapter Eleven: Regulation of Acid-Base Balance, part 1

References

We considered the effect of a high protein diet and potential metabolic acidosis on kidney function. This review is of interest by Donald Wesson, a champion for addressing this issue and limiting animal protein: Mechanisms of Metabolic Acidosis-Induced Kidney Injury in Chronic Kidney Disease

Hostetter explored the effect of a high protein diet in the remnant kidney model with 1 ¾ nephrectomy. Rats with reduced dietary acid load (by bicarbonate supplementation) had less tubular damage. Chronic effects of dietary protein in the rat with intact and reduced renal mass

Wesson explored treatment of metabolic acidosis in humans with stage 3 CKD in this study. Treatment of metabolic acidosis in patients with stage 3 chronic kidney disease with fruits and vegetables or oral bicarbonate reduces urine angiotensinogen and preserves glomerular filtration rate

In addition to the effect of metabolic acidosis from a diet high in animal protein, this diet also leads to hyperfiltration. This was demonstrated in normal subjects;  ingesting a protein diet had a significantly higher creatinine clearance than a comparable group of normal subjects ingesting a vegetarian diet.   Renal functional reserve in humans: Effect of protein intake on glomerular filtration rate.This finding has been implicated in Brenner’s theory regarding hyperfiltration: The hyperfiltration theory: a paradigm shift in nephrology

One of multiple publications from Dr. Nimrat Goraya whom Joel mentioned in the voice over: Dietary Protein as Kidney Protection: Quality or Quantity?

We wondered about the time course in buffering a high protein meal (and its subsequent acid load on ventilation) and Amy found this report:Effect of Protein Intake on Ventilatory Drive | Anesthesiology | American Society of Anesthesiologists 

Roger mentioned that the need for acetate to balance the acid from amino acids in parenteral nutrition was identified in pediatrics perhaps because infants may have reduced ability to generate acid. Randomised controlled trial of acetate in preterm neonates receiving parenteral nutrition - PMC

He also recommended an excellent review on the complications of parenteral nutrition by Knochel https://www.kidney-international.org/action/showPdf?pii=S0085-2538%2815%2933384-6 which explained that when the infused amino acids disproportionately include cationic amino acids, metabolism led to H+ production. This is typically mitigated by preparing a solution that is balanced by acetate. 

Amy mentioned this study that explored the effect of protein intake on ventilation: Effect of Protein Intake on Ventilatory Drive | Anesthesiology | American Society of Anesthesiologists

Anna and Amy reminisced about a Skeleton Key Group Case from the renal fellow network Skeleton Key Group: Electrolyte Case #7

JC wondered about isolated defects in the proximal tubule and an example is found here: Mutations in SLC4A4 cause permanent isolate