The potential role of large intestine Animal models of metabolic acidosis are generally based on drastic treatments and are poorly suitable as models of latent metabolic acidosis (LMA). Specific rodent diets have been evaluated as LMA models, together with their responsiveness to dietary alkalinizing factors. Using this model, the possibility to obtain LMA states with moderate levels of protein intake was identified, pointing to the critical role of anions in the mineral moiety of the diet.fermentations to acid-base control has also been examined with this model.