I am currently trying to determine the Repiratory Quotient (vCO2/vO2) from the
perfusate (Krebsbicarbonate 2%BSA 25) in the perfused hindlimb of the rat. I
have a gas analyser that will accurately determine pH and CO2.
Intuitively, the HCO3 content could be determined from the pH and the pCO2 via
the Henderson Hasselbalch equation but there are other complications.
1 CO2 isn't the only contributor to the acidification of the buffer (ie
lactate release occurs as well)
2 The first dissociation constant of CO2 (pK'') is a expressed as a function
of pH and Total CO2 ie
pH = pK" +log( TCO2-spCO2/S.pCO2)
so a simple equation to calculate pK'' from pK and pCO2 is required, thus
enabling the calculation of TCO2!
Any suggestions? Or does anybody know of someone who has calculated Total CO2
in perfused systems?
