We studied the effects of intravenous acetazolamide (50-200 mg/kg) on cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) electrolytes and pH regulation in 10 anesthetized and nephrectomized dogs (group II): acetazolamide was injected at -1 h, and respiratory acidosis was induced at zero time for 6 h. A control group of 10 animals (group I) was treated similarly except that an equal volume of 0.45% saline was injected intravenously instead of acetazolamide. The mean CSF PCO2 values in group I were 49.7 +/- 3.4 (SD), 50.2 +/- 3.6, 92.3 +/- 7.0, 100.3 +/- 8.1, and 97.8 +/- 7.3 Torr, respectively, at -1, 0, 3, 4.5, and 6 h; respective values in group II were 49.8 +/- 2.0, 55.2 +/- 5.2, 95.8 +/- 6.4, 103.1 +/- 16.7, and 104.9 +/- 14.1 Torr. During acute respiratory acidosis CSF [HCO3-] rose progressively with time in group I, and the mean values were 28.1 +/- 1.4 (SD), 29.2 +/- 1.7 and 30.1 +/- 1.9 mmol/l, respectively, 3, 4.5, and 6 h after induction of acidosis; respective values in group II were 28.2 +/- 1.1, 28.3 +/- 0.9, and 28.5 +/- 1.4 mmol/l. Acetazolamide at various doses administered inhibited any further rise in CSF [HCO3-] beyond the 3rd h of acidosis. The lower rise in CSF [HCO3-] in group II could not be ascribed to differences in CSF lactate concentration which changed similarly in both groups. Increments in CSF K+ and phosphate concentrations were significantly higher in the acetazolamide group than in the control group, the former presumably reflecting efflux of K+ from intracellular to extracellular fluid compartment. We conclude that in nephrectomized dogs during acute respiratory acidosis intravenously administered acetazolamide diminishes the rise in CSF [HCO3-], impairs CSF H+ regulation, and increases CSF K+ and phosphate concentrations.