The present study was conducted to examine the roles of hormonal factors in plasma potassium alterations in acute respiratory acidosis. Respiratory acidosis (pH, 7.07-7.10) induced by the inhalation of 10% CO2, 20% O2 and 70% N2 mixed gas caused an increase in the plasma potassium concentration beyond that of the control of 3.44 +/- 0.12 (mean +/- SE) to 4.36 +/- 0.07 mEq/l (p less than 0.01) within 180 min. The plasma norepinephrine concentration was also noted to significantly increase at the same time. Phentolamine (40 micrograms/kg/min i.v.) did not affect the degree of acidosis or acidosis-induced hyperkalemia. No significant changes in the plasma levels of epinephrine, insulin, glucagon, cortisol or aldosterone could be detected. Hormonal factors would thus appear not to be essential to potassium movement from intracellular to extracellular compartments in acute respiratory acidosis.