Glucose Utilization and Production by the Dog Kidney in Vivo in Metabolic Acidosis and Alkalosis

Using D-[1-(14)C]glucose as a tracer, renal glucose utilization and production was measured in chronic metabolic acidosis and alkalosis in dog kidney in vivo. In six experiments in acidosis, mean total renal glucose production was 4.447+/-1.655 SE mumol/min and glucose utilization was 4.187+/-0.576 SE mumol/min. In five alkalotic experiments it was found that mean total glucose production was 12.227+/-2.026 SE mumol/min and glucose utilization was 18.186+/-2.054 SE mumol/min. Renal glucose utilization and production are therefore significantly higher in alkalosis than in acidosis in vivo. Since glucose production is maximal under conditions when glutamine extraction is minimal (i.e. alkalosis), it is apparent that in alkalosis glutamine is not a major precursor of glucose.