Effect of fasting for two days on the excretion of ammonium in dogs with chronic metabolic acidosis.

Background: The source of glutamine for renal ammonium production is ultimately dietary protein in the fed state and body proteins in fasting.

Objective: Our objective was to determine if less NH(+)(4) would be excreted by fasted dogs with chronic metabolic acidosis resulting in conservation of lean body mass.

Methods: Acid-loaded fed and fasted dogs were given 10 mmol NH(4)Cl/kg for 5 days; the fasted group had food withheld on days 4 and 5.