Respiratory Control During Exercise: Hormones, Osmolality, Strong Ions, and Paco₂

For optimal performance of exercising muscle, the charge state of proteins must be maintained; the pH environment of protein histidine imidazole groups must be coordinated with their pK. During exercise, increasing temperature and osmolality as well as changes in strong ions affect the pK of imidazole groups. Production of strong organic anions also decreases the concentration difference between strong cations and anions (strong ion difference, or [SID]), causing a metabolic acidosis in peripheral tissues. Central chemoreceptors regulate PCO2 in relation to the [SID] of brain fluids to maintain a "constant" brain [H+]. In addition, increased osmolality, angiotensin II, and vasopressin during exercise may stimulate circumventricular organs of the brain and interact with chemical control of ventilation. Changes in [SID] of brain fluids during exercise are negligible compared to systemic decreases in [SID]; thus, regulation of PCO2 to maintain brain [H+] homeostasis cannot simultaneously compensate for greater changes in [SID] in peripheral tissues.