Acid-Base-Balance

Basics

The relationship between acids and bases is of great significance to the functioning of all metabolic processes in the organism. A balance between acids and bases is necessary to normal metabolism. This balance is decisive to the structuring and function of proteins, the permeability of membranes, the distribution of electrolytes and the functioning of the connective tissue. The pH level of the blood and of the external and internal cellular spaces must be kept constant under all circumstances within a small range of fluctuation, so that the many different processes in our bodies can be carried out in a controlled way. Different buffer systems (regulatory systems, which compensate for the excess acid or base), which are constantly put into action according to the current strain of acids or bases on the organism, are available to do this.

Regulation of the Acid-Base Balance

Several factors contribute to the regulation of the acid-base balance. These include the blood buffering characteristics and the internal and external cell compartments, the gaseous exchange in the lungs and the excretory functions of the kidneys. These systems are in a relationship of functional equilibrium with each other.

The blood pH regulation is carried out by different buffer systems consisting of a weak acid and its corresponding base in a particular ratio. If protons or hydroxide ions are added, the pH level will be hardly changed, although ratio of the acid to the corresponding base will change. At the same time, the blood buffer capacity is determined by the combined effect of the groups of anions working as buffers:

• Bicarbonate buffer (52%)
• Protein buffer (15%)
• Phosphate buffer (2%)
• Haemoglobin buffer (31%)

The bicarbonate buffer system, followed by the buffer characteristics of haemoglobin, plasma proteins and the phosphate buffer, is mainly responsible for a constant pH level in the blood. The particular ability of the buffer systems to react enables them to regulate the blood pH to a level within the normal range (pH 7.35 – 7.45) extraordinarily quickly.

The bicarbonate buffer interacts directly with respiration through the formation of carbon dioxide. At the same time, carbonic acid is created from hydrogen carbonate, which breaks down into water and carbon dioxide, which is breathed out. Quantitatively, bicarbonate contributes most to the blood buffer capacity. The most important intra-cellular buffer of the erythrocytes (red blood cells) is the redox system of haemoglobin. At the same time, phosphate and protein buffers (e.g. serum protein containing the amino-acid histidin) also play an important role.

Although the strain of acid can be avoided through breathing out carbon dioxide, the kidneys serve primarily to excrete protons created during the breakdown of different acids. This excretion is necessary, because the emergence of protons clearly exceeds the absorption of substances effective as bases, when a usual mixed diet is consumed.

Nutrition

The organic salts of minerals and trace elements are extremely important to the buffering of protons. When these salts are dissociated, organic anions are released, which can then take up protons according to the dissociation constant of the acid group. Finally, these organic acids will be metabolised to water and carbon dioxide, thus ensuring the removal of protons from the organism.

The remaining positively charged mineral cations can be reabsorbed in exchange for protons from the primary urine of the kidneys; this also causes a removal of protons from the body. For this reason, the level of the supply of organically bound minerals and trace elements represents a significant factor in the regulation of the acid-base status.