Regulation of intracellular pH in cardiac muscle

Enhanced Na+/H+ exchange during ischemia and reperfusion impairs mitochondrial bioenergetics and myocardial function

Inhibition of Na+/H+ exchange (NHE) during ischemia reduces cardiac injury due to reduced reverse mode Na+/Ca2+ exchange. We hypothesized that activating NHE-1 at buffer pH 8 during ischemia increases mitochondrial oxidation, Ca2+ overload, and reactive O2 species (ROS) levels and worsens functional recovery in isolated hearts and that NHE inhibition reverses these effects. Guinea pig hearts were perfused with buffer at pH 7.4 (control) or pH 8 +/- NHE inhibitor eniporide for 10 minutes before and for 10 minutes after 35- minute ischemia and then for 110 minutes with pH 7.4 buffer alone. Mitochondrial NADH and FAD, [Ca2+], and superoxide were measured by spectrophotofluorometry. NADH and FAD were more oxidized, and cardiac function was worse throughout reperfusion after pH 8 versus pH 7.4, Ca2+ overload was greater at 10-minute reperfusion, and superoxide generation was higher at 30-minute reperfusion. The pH 7.4 and eniporide groups exhibited similar mitochondrial function, and cardiac performance was most improved after pH 7.4+eniporide. Cardiac function on reperfusion after pH 8+eniporide was better than after pH 8. Percent infarction was largest after pH 8 and smallest after pH 7.4+eniporide. Activation of NHE with pH 8 buffer and the subsequent decline in redox state with greater ROS and Ca2+ loading underlie the poor functional recovery after ischemia and reperfusion.

Age-related differences in myocardial hydrogen ion buffering during ischemia

BACKGROUND

During myocardial ischemia, accumulation of end products from anaerobic glycolysis (hydrogen ions (H(+)), lactate) can cause cellular injury, consequently affecting organ function. The cells' ability to buffer H(+) (buffering capacity (BC)) plays an important role in ischemic tolerance. Age related differences in myocardial lactate and H(+) accumulation (one hour of ischemia) as well as differences in BC, myoglobin (Mb) and histidine (His) contents in the left (LV) and right (RV) ventricles were assessed in neonatal compared to adult pigs. The BC of the septum was also compared.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Neonatal RV and LV had lactate accumulations of 43% and 63% and significantly greater H(+) (p < 0.004) compared to the adult. In the neonate LV, BC was 17% significantly poorer (p = 0.0001), had 33% lower Mb (p = 0.0002) and 15% lower His content (p = 0.0004) when compared to the adult. In the RV, despite similar BC between the neonate and adult, myoglobin content was 36% (p = 0.0004) lower in the neonate. The neonate septum had a BC that was 11% lower than that of the adult. With maturation, the adult LV had a BC that was 10% greater (p < 0.01) than the RV while the septum mirrored that of the LV.

CONCLUSIONS

During maturation to adulthood, the BC of the septum begins to closely resemble the LV. Neonatal hearts have a potentially greater vulnerability to acid-base disturbances during ischemia in both ventricles when compared to hearts of adults. This is due to lower levels of myoglobin and histidine in the young, which could render them more susceptible to injury during ischemia. During myocardial ischemia, H(+) and lactate accumulation may pose deleterious effects on the heart. The ability to buffer H(+) (buffering capacity, BC) affects ischemic tolerance. Although lactate accumulation during 1 h of global ischemia was similar between ventricles of neonatal and adult swine, H(+) accumulation was greater and BC, Mb and His content were lower. With maturation, LV BC was higher than the RV while septum developmentally resembled the LV. Thus, hearts of neonates may be at a greater risk of ischemic injury compared to hearts of adults.

Chloride dependence of pH modulation by beta-adrenergic agonist in rat cardiomyocytes

The effects of beta-adrenergic agonists on pHi were studied on single ventricular myocytes isolated from adult rat heart and loaded with the acetoxymethyl ester (AM) form of the pH indicator SNARF-1. In modified Krebs' solution containing 20 mmol/L HEPES and 4.4 mmol/L HCO3-, isoproterenol (1 mumol/L) caused a significant decrease of steady-state pHi from 7.20 +/- 0.02 to 7.13 +/- 0.02 (mean +/- SEM) within 2 minutes. This acidification, which was also observed in myocytes that were preloaded with the Ca2+ chelator BAPTA and superfused with nominally Ca(2+)-free solution, was blocked by propranolol as well as by the specific beta 1-antagonist CGP 20712 A but not by the beta 2-antagonist ICI 118,551. Forskolin (10 mumol/L) induced a similar reversible decrease of pHi (average decrease, 0.11 +/- 0.02 pH unit). Furthermore, adenosine (100 mumol/L) substantially attenuated the isoproterenol-induced decrease of pHi. The effect of isoproterenol was not prevented by inhibitors of the Na(+)-H+ antiport, amiloride (1 mmol/L) and 2-N,N-hexamethylene amiloride (20 mumol/L). On the other hand, blockers of Cl- transport mechanisms, DIDS (200 mumol/L) and probenecid (100 mumol/L), inhibited this acidification, Isoproterenol also failed to induce a decrease of steady-state pHi in myocytes incubated in Cl(-)-free medium. Rather, the initial rate of rise of pHi observed on removal of external Cl- ions was significantly increased in the presence of isoproterenol or dibutyryl cAMP. Because the alkalinization induced by removal of Cl- ions is mainly due to reversal of the Cl(-)-HCO3- exchanger, the augmentation of this initial rate of pHi rise directly points to a beta-adrenergic stimulation of the exchanger. Furthermore, the pHi recovery following NH4Cl exposure was accelerated by isoproterenol in the presence of probenecid, indicating that the Na(+)-HCO3- cotransport and/or the Na(+)-H+ antiport also could be activated.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Molecular cloning, expression, and chromosomal localization of two isoforms of the AE3 anion exchanger from human heart

Cl-/HCO3- exchange contributes to regulation of pHi and [Cl-] in cardiac muscle, with possible effects on excitability and contractility. We have isolated human heart cDNAs, which encode two isoforms of the anion exchanger AE3. These clones share long portions of common sequence but have different 5' ends encoding distinct amino-terminal amino acid sequences. The longer AE3 polypeptide of 1232 amino acids, bAE3, displays nearly 96% amino acid sequence identity to the rat and mouse AE3 "brain isoforms." The shorter cAE3 polypeptide of 1034 amino acids in length corresponds to the rat AE3 "cardiac isoform." The unique N-terminal 73 amino acids of the cAE3 sequence are less well conserved between rat and human. Northern blot analysis with isoform-specific probes revealed the presence of both cAE3 and bAE3 mRNAs in human heart tissue. Both AE3 protein isoforms were overexpressed in Chinese hamster ovary cells and detected by immunoblot with antipeptide antibodies. Immunoblot studies of human cardiac membranes detected only cAE3 polypeptides, which were apparently not susceptible to enzymatic deglycosylation. Injection into Xenopus oocytes of cRNAs encoding either cAE3 or bAE3 produced increased 36Cl- uptake into the oocytes, confirming the ability of both AE3 isoforms to transport Cl-. The human AE3 gene was localized to chromosome 2. AE3 may provide a new pharmacologic target for antiarrhythmic and cardioprotective drugs.

Coupling of dual acid extrusion in the guinea-pig isolated ventricular myocyte to alpha 1- and beta-adrenoceptors

1. Intracellular pH (pHi) was recorded in single, isolated guinea-pig ventricular myocytes using the pH-sensitive fluorophore, carboxy-SNARF-1 (AM-loaded). 2. The dual acid extrusion system in this cell (Na(+)-H+ antiport and Na(+)-HCO3- symport) was activated by inducing an intracellular acid load, produced by addition and subsequent removal of extracellular 10 mM NH4Cl. Under these conditions, it is known that both acid-equivalent extruders are activated about equally. 3. Application of phenylephrine (100 microM; alpha-adrenergic agonist) resulted in an inhibition of pHi recovery from an acid load, recorded in HCO3-buffered medium containing 1.5 mM amiloride (amiloride inhibits Na(+)-H+ antiport; under these conditions pHi recovery is mediated through only the Na(+)-HCO3- symport carrier). This inhibitory effect of phenylephrine was prevented by the alpha 1-antagonist, prazosin (0.1 microM) and was unaffected by propranolol (1 microM). 4. Application of phenylephrine in Hepes-buffered medium (only Na(+)-H+ antiport is active under these conditions) elicited a stimulation of pHi recovery, again prevented by prazosin (0.1 microM). 5. These results point to an alpha 1 inhibition of Na(+)-HCO3- symport and an alpha 1 stimulation of Na+-H+ antiport. 6. Both adrenaline (1-5 microM) and noradrenaline (5 microM) slowed pHi recovery recorded in HCO3(-)-buffered solution containing amiloride (1.5 mM). The similarity of this result with that obtained previously using phenylephrine (paragraph 3) suggests that all three agonists inhibit the Na(+)-HCO3- symport through alpha 1 activation. 7. Isoprenaline (1 microM; beta-adrenergic agonist) slowed pHi recovery in Hepes-buffered solution but stimulated recovery in a HCO3(-)-buffered solution containing amiloride (1.5 mM). These results suggest that beta activation slows Na(+)-H+ antiport but stimulates Na(+)-HCO3- symport. 8. When both acid-equivalent extrusion carriers were inhibited in Na(+)-free, HCO3(-)-buffered medium, phenylephrine or isoprenaline had no effect on pHi, ruling out any effect of the adrenergic agonists on background acid-loading mechanisms. 9. Under physiological conditions (CO2/HCO3(-)-buffered solution, no amiloride), when both acid extruders would be activated by an intracellular acid load, application of phenylephrine, adrenaline or noradrenaline were found to slow pHi recovery. In contrast, isoprenaline stimulated pHi recovery under the same conditions.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Adrenaline and extracellular ATP switch between two modes of acid extrusion in the guinea-pig ventricular myocyte

1. Intracellular pH (pHi) was recorded in isolated guinea-pig ventricular myocytes using the pH-sensitive fluoroprobe, carboxy-SNARF-1 (carboxy-seminaphthorhodafluor). 2. Addition and removal of 10 mM NH4Cl was used to induce an intracellular acid load in a myocyte perfused with HCO3(-)-buffered solution containing amiloride. Under these conditions, subsequent pHi recovery is known to rely upon Na(+)-HCO3- co-transport into the cell. The application of 0.5-5 microM adrenaline resulted in an inhibition of this pHi recovery. 3. In HEPES-buffered solution, where acid extrusion is mediated primarily by Na(+)-H+ antiport, pHi recovery from an acid load was stimulated by the application of adrenaline. 4. In HCO3-/CO2-buffered solution (no amiloride), when both acid-aquivalent extruders are activated by an intracellular acidification, adrenaline was found to slow pHi recovery. 5. When both carriers were inhibited in Na(+)-free, HCO3(-)-buffered medium, adrenaline had no effect on pHi, ruling out any effect of the catecholamine on background acid loading. 6. The voltage clamp technique was used to test if the inhibitory effect of adrenaline on amiloride-resistant, HCO3(-)-dependent pHi recovery was due to an efflux of HCO3- ions through catecholamine-activated anion channels. During pHi recovery, membrane depolarization, sufficient to reverse the electrochemical driving force acting on HCO3-, had no effect upon pHi recovery rate. 7. The above results show that adrenaline has direct but opposite effects on Na(+)-HCO3- co-transport and Na(+)-H+ antiport. In the presence of this agonist, the pHi dependence of Na(+)-HCO3- symport was shifted to the left along the pHi axis by 0.13 +/- 0.03 units (n = 4) whereas that for Na(+)-H+ antiport was shifted in the opposite direction by only 0.07 +/- 0.01 units (n = 3). Following an acid load, the net effect of adrenaline under physiological conditions was, therefore, a slowing of pHi recovery. 8. The application of extracellular ATP (ATPo, 10-50 microM) mimicked the effects of adrenaline on both Na(+)-H+ exchange and Na(+)-HCO3- symport. 9. Adenosine (50 microM) and ADP (50 microM) did not induce any inhibition of Na(+)-HCO3- symport, suggesting that the inhibition induced by ATP was not mediated through P1 or P2-purinergic receptors. 10. We conclude that Na(+)-H+ antiport and Na(+)-HCO3- symport are both coupled to adrenaline and ATPo receptors. Activation of these receptors switches acid-equivalent extrusion from a situation dependent on both HCO3- and H+ ions to one nearly exclusively dependent upon H+.

Role of bicarbonate in pH recovery from intracellular acidosis in the guinea-pig ventricular myocyte

1. Intracellular pH (pHi) was recorded ratiometrically in isolated guinea-pig ventricular myocytes using the pH-sensitive fluoroprobe, carboxy-SNARF-1 (carboxy-seminaphthorhodafluor). 2. Following an intracellular acid load (10 mM NH4 Cl removal), pHi recovery in HEPES-buffered Tyrode solution was inhibited by 1.5 mM amiloride (Na(+)-H+ antiport blocker). In the presence of amiloride, switching from HEPES buffer to HCO3-/CO2 (pHo of both solutions = 7.4) stimulated a pHi recovery towards more alkaline levels. 3. Amiloride-resistant, HCO(3-)-dependent pHi recovery was inhibited by removal of external Na+ (replaced by N-methyl-D-glucamine), whereas removal of external Cl- (replaced by glucuronate, leading to depletion of internal Cl-), removal of external K+, or decreasing external Ca2+ by approximately tenfold had no inhibitory effect. These results suggest that the amiloride-resistant recovery is due to a Na(+)-HCO3- cotransport into the cell. 4. The stilbene derivative DIDS (4,4'-diisothiocyanatostilbene-2,2'-disulphonic acid, 500 microM) slowed Na(+)-HCO(3-)-dependent pHi recovery. 5. Intracellular pH increased in Cl(-)-free solution and this increase still occurred in Na(+)-free solution indicating that it is not caused via Na(+)-HCO3- symport and is more likely to be due to Cl- efflux in exchange for HCO3- influx on a sarcolemmal Cl(-)-HCO3- exchanger. The lack of any significant pHi recovery from intracellular acidosis in Na(+)-free solution suggests that this exchanger does not contribute to acid-equivalent extrusion. 6. Possible voltage sensitivity and electrogenicity of the co-transport were examined by using the whole-cell patch clamp technique in combination with SNARF-1 recordings of pHi. Stepping the holding potential from -110 to -40 mV did not affect amiloride-resistant pHi recovery from acidosis. Moreover, following an intracellular acid load, the activation of Na(+)-HCO3- co-influx (by switching from HEPES to HCO3-/CO2 buffer) produced no detectable outward current (outward current would be expected if the coupling of HCO3- with Na+ were > 1.0). 7. Intracellular intrinsic buffering power (beta i) was assessed as a function of pHi (beta i computed from the decrease of pHi following reduction of extracellular NH4 Cl in amiloride-containing solution). beta i in the ventricular myocyte increases roughly linearly with a decrease in pHi according the following equation: beta i = -28(pHi) +222.6. 8. Comparison of acid-equivalent efflux via Na(+)-HCO3- symport and Na(+)-H+ antiport showed that, following an intracellular acidosis, the symport accounts for about 40% of total acid efflux, the other 60% being carried by the antiport.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Alpha 1-adrenergic effects on intracellular pH and calcium and on myofilaments in single rat cardiac cells

1. The cellular effects of alpha 1-adrenoceptor stimulation by phenylephrine were studied in the presence of propranolol in single cells isolated from the ventricles of rat hearts. 2. Phenylephrine (10-100 microM) induced a biphasic pattern of inotropism in these cells: a transient negative followed by a sustained positive inotropic effect as usually observed in cardiac tissues. 3. In Snarf-1-loaded cells, phenylephrine induced an alkalinization. This effect was reversible on wash-out and inhibited by prazosin, an alpha 1-adrenoceptor antagonist. 4. The alpha 1-adrenoceptor-mediated increase in intracellular pH (pHi) was 0.1 pH unit in HEPES buffer containing 4.4 mM-NaHCO3 and in Krebs buffer containing 25 mM-NaHCO3. 5. The alkalinization was blocked by the Na(+)-H+ antiport blocker, ethylisopropylamiloride (EIPA). 6. The recovery from an acidosis induced by a NH4Cl pre-pulse was accelerated by phenylephrine. The phenylephrine-induced alkalinization was attributed to activation of the Na(+)-H+ antiport. 7. Despite its ability to increase pHi, phenylephrine did not alter Ca2+ current amplitude and kinetics. 8. Ca2+ transients recorded in Indo-1-loaded cells were not augmented by phenylephrine. Diastolic calcium level was decreased. 9. In single skinned cells, the Ca2+ sensitivity of the contractile proteins was increased by a pre-treatment with phenylephrine even when the alpha 1-adrenoceptor-mediated alkalinizing effect had been prevented by EIPA. 10. These results lead us to propose that the alpha 1-adrenergic-induced positive inotropic response of heart muscle could result from an increased sensitivity of the myofilaments to Ca2+ ions. This alpha 1-adrenoceptor-mediated Ca2+ sensitization could result both from an intracellular alkalinization and from a direct effect on contractile proteins.

Na(+)-HCO3- symport in the sheep cardiac Purkinje fibre

1. Intracellular pH (pHi) was recorded in isolated sheep cardiac Purkinje fibres using liquid sensor ion-selective microelectrodes in conjunction with conventional (3 M-KCl) microelectrodes (to record membrane potential). 2. In HEPES-buffered solution (pH0 7.4), pHi recovery from an intracellular acid load (20 mM-NH4Cl removal) was blocked by 1 mM-amiloride, consistent with the inhibition of Na(+)-H+ exchange. Replacement of the HEPES buffer with CO2-HCO3- caused a transient acidosis followed by an amiloride-resistant recovery of pHi to more alkaline levels (n = 43). This implies the presence of a HCO3(-)-dependent pHi regulatory mechanism. 3. Comparison of the membrane potential with the equilibrium potential for HCO3- ions (EHCO3) estimated during amiloride-resistant pHi recovery, showed that for polarized fibres (membrane potential Em approximately -80 mV), there was a net outward electrochemical driving force for HCO3- ions. Hence the amiloride-resistant pHi recovery cannot be explained in terms of passive HCO3- influx through membrane channels. 4. Removal of external Na+ (Na0+ replaced by N-methyl-D-glucamine) inhibited HCO3(-)-dependent pHi recovery, whereas removal of external Cl- (leading to depletion of internal Cl-; Cl0- replaced by glucuronate) or short-term removal of extracellular K+ had no inhibitory effect. We suggest that a Na(+)-HCO3- co-influx causes the recovery. Replacement of external Na+ with Li+ greatly reduced HCO3(-)-dependent pHi recovery indicating that Li0+ cannot readily substitute for Na0+ on the co-transport. 5. The stilbene drug DIDS (4,4-diisothiocyano-stilbene-disulphonic acid, 500 microM) slowed HCO3(-)-dependent pHi recovery. 6. Depolarization of the membrane potential in high K0+ (44.5 mM) solution or with 5 mM-BaCl2 had no effect upon the rate of HCO3(-)-sensitive pHi recovery. This observation, when coupled with the fact that activation of HCO3(-)-dependent pHi recovery was associated with no consistent change of membrane potential, suggests that the Na(+)-HCO3- co-influx is electroneutral and voltage insensitive. 7. HCO3(-)-dependent pHi recovery was unaffected by the Na(+)-K(+)-2Cl- co-transport inhibitor, bumetanide (150 microM). 8. The contribution of Na(+)-H+ exchange and Na(+)-HCO3- co-transport to net acid efflux was assessed. At a pHi of 6.6, we estimate that the co-transport should account for 20% of total acid equivalent efflux.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Extracellular MgATP activates the Cl-/HCO3- exchanger in single rat cardiac cells

1. The effect of extracellular MgATP on cytosolic pH (pHi) was investigated in single rat cardiac cells loaded with the pH-sensitive probe Snarf-1. 2. Basal pHi in HEPES-buffered solution (containing 4.4 mM-NaHCO3) was 7.08. MgATP induced a transient acidification followed by an alkalinization. The latter is prevented by ethylisopropylamiloride (EIPA) and has been attributed to the activation of the Na+/H+ antiport. The MgATP-induced acidification reached a maximal value of 0.42 +/- 0.03 pH units (U pH). It was concentration dependent with a K0.5 of 2.6 microM-MgATP. This acidification was also observed with the same magnitude in the presence of the more physiological Krebs-bicarbonate buffer but was greatly reduced in nominally HCO3-free HEPES. 3. The MgATP-induced acidification was prevented by 4,4'-diisothiocyanatostilbene-2,2'-disulphonic acid (DIDS), probenecid and ethacrynic acid but not by bumetanide. It was dependent upon the external chloride concentration. The K0.5[Cl-] was 9 mM and the maximal acidification required 60 mM-Cl-. 4. MgATP accelerated the recovery from an alkalinization triggered by a pulse of NH4Cl. The nucleotide also facilitated the efflux of HCO3- when the cell was switched from a Krebs-bicarbonate buffer gassed with 5% CO2 to an HEPES buffer. 5. The acidification was only evoked by MgATP and its poorly hydrolysable analogues but not by the other nucleotides (ADP, GTP (guanosine triphosphate), CTP (cytidine triphosphate) UTP (urodine triphosphate), ITP (inositol triphosphate) nor by adenosine. It required the presence of Mg2+ ions. 6. These results provide evidence that MgATP activates the Cl-/HCO3- exchanger and that this activation accounts for the acidification. Such an activation could not be related to the P1- or the P2-purinergic receptors since it requires triphosphate adenylic compounds and Mg2+ ions. This leads us to suggest the existence of a putative P3-type of purinergic receptor.

Extracellular H+ inactivation of Na(+)-H+ exchange in the sheep cardiac Purkinje fibre

1. The inhibition of acid extrusion via Na(+)-H+ exchange caused by reducing pHo (extracellular pH) was examined in the sheep cardiac Purkinje fibre. Intracellular pH (pHi) and intracellular Na+ activity (alpha 1 Na) were recorded using ion-selective microelectrodes. Acid extrusion via Na(+)-H+ exchange was estimated from the pHi recovery rate (multiplied by intracellular buffering power, beta) in response to an internal acid load induced by 20 mM-NH4Cl removal (nominally CO2-HCO3-free media). 2. At a given pHi, acid extrusion decreased sigmoidally with decreases of pHo in the range 8.5 to 6.5 (50% inhibition of efflux occurred at a pHo between 7.0 and 7.5). This inhibition was associated with a parallel decrease in Na+ influx as evidenced from a decrease in the rise of alpha i Na measured during acid extrusion, suggesting inhibition of Na(+)-H+ exchange. 3. The background acid-loading rate (estimated by adding 1 mM-amiloride to inhibit Na(+)-H+ exchange and recording the initial rate of fall of pHi) was found to be unaffected in the steady state by changes of pHo. We therefore conclude that the slowing of pHi recovery at low pHo is due to direct inhibition of Na(+)-H+ exchange rather than to an increase of background acid loading. 4. Reducing pHo (constant pHi) inhibited acid efflux by producing a parallel shift of the efflux versus pHi relationship to lower values of pHi, consistent with a decrease in the apparent internal H+ ion affinity (pKi) of the system. 5. Raising pHi (constant pHo) also inhibited acid efflux, but this was associated with a rise in the pHo required for 50% maximal inhibition of acid efflux (pKo), consistent with an increase in apparent affinity for external H ions. Thus reduction of pHo reduces pKi (point 4) while reduction of pHi reduces pKo (point 5). 6. Inhibition by elevated Ho+ was not linearly related to the decrease in chemical driving force for Na(+)-H+ exchange, nor was it related to a reversal of the transmembrane H+ gradient. We found that efflux still occurred when pHo less than pHi. 7. Efflux was not a unique function of the transmembrane H+ ratio (i.e. pHo-pHi). At appropriate values of pHi and pHo, acid efflux could be kept constant despite a four-fold change in the transmembrane H+ ratio. 8. Inhibition by low pHo was a saturating function of Ho+ ions with a Hill coefficient of 1.2.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

pH dependence of intrinsic H+ buffering power in the sheep cardiac Purkinje fibre

1. Intrinsic, intracellular H+ buffering power (beta) was estimated in the isolated sheep cardiac Purkinje fibre at various values of intracellular pH (pHi) in the range 6.2-7.5 and for various values of extracellular pH (pHo) in the range 6.5-8.5. Buffering power was calculated from the fall of pHi (recorded with an intracellular pH-selective microelectrode) induced by addition and removal of extracellular, permeant weak acids and bases (NH4Cl, trimethylamine chloride, sodium propionate). Experiments were performed under conditions nominally free of CO2-HCO3. 2. beta was estimated firstly following acid loads induced by NH4Cl removal (10-20 mM) under conditions where Na(+)-H+ exchange was operational (i.e. in Na(+)-containing Tyrode solution). At constant pHi, the value of beta appeared to double (from a control level of 39.7 mM) as pHo was increased from 7.5 to 8.5. Notably, raising pHo in this range greatly accelerated pHi recovery from an intracellular acid load, indicating stimulation of acid extrusion. It is likely that this stimulation results in an overestimation of beta because it blunts the intracellular acid load. The apparent elevation of beta at high pHo may therefore be an artifact. 3. Estimates of beta were compared (NH4Cl removal) before and after inhibiting Na(+)-H+ exchange in Na(+)-free solution or with amiloride (1 mM). The acid load was larger and in many (but not all) cases the apparent value of beta decreased after inhibition of acid extrusion. This indicates that, if Na(+)-H+ exchange is operational, it can result in an overestimate of beta. In amiloride, beta was 26.6 +/- 1.4 mM (n = 8) at a mean pHi of 6.84 +/- 0.03. 4. Small stepwise reductions of external NH4Cl (from 40 to 0 mM), in the presence of Na(+)-free solution plus 5 mM-BaCl2 at constant pHo, resulted in small stepwise reductions of pHi (approximately 0.1 units). When these were used to calculate beta, we observed that beta increased roughly linearly as pHi became more acid. For a pHi of 7.2, beta approximately 20 mM. 5. An almost identical relationship between beta and pHi was found when using the method of sodium propionate addition (10-50 mM): amiloride (1 mM) was present and pHi was manipulated to various test levels by changing pHo. This confirms that beta varies inversely with pHi and also that it is independent of pHo. We conclude that the apparent variation of beta with pHo observed earlier was indeed an artifact.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)