Pancreatic tissue pH in experimental acidosis and alkalosis.

The pH was studied in pancreatic tissue and arterial blood in 22 dogs. Respiratory acidosis was induced by CO2 inhalations in 5 dogs, respiratory alkalosis by hyperventilation in 5 dogs, metabolic acidosis by intravenous(i.v.) infusion of 0.1 N HCl in 5 dogs, metabolic alkalosis by i.v. infusion of 4.2% Na bicarbonate in 5 dogs. The differences between the shifts of blood pH and tissue pH were not significant statistically. Infusion of Ringer's solution failed to affect the pH in blood and pancreatic tissue in two control animals. It is concluded, that with an adequate tissue blood flow the pancreatic tissue pH is uninformative unless the blood pH is known.