ISSN:
1573-7365
Keywords:
Ammonia
;
NH4 +
;
gaseous ammonia
;
expiratory air
;
hepatic encephalopathy
;
liver cirrhosis
Source:
Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
Topics:
Medicine
Notes:
Abstract Although gaseous ammonia (NH3) can freely enter cells through the plasma membrane where NH3 is cyto(neuro)toxic, NH3 and ionic ammonia (NH4 +) contents have not been studied in biological materials. We developed a new method for measurement of expiratory NH3 concentration, which may reflect blood NH3 concentrations. The method is a sensor tube type-gas assay system. Expiratory NH3 concentration in patients with chronic liver diseases increased when their blood ammonia (NH4 + + NH3) concentrations increased above 90 μg/dl (normal range; 12-66 μg/dl). However, cirrhotic patients, who had relatively higher expiratory NH3 concentration compared to blood NH3 concentrations (calculated from Henderson-Hasselbalch formula), were found to have subclinical encephalopathy. Measurement of expiratory NH3 concentration may be of clinical significance for the diagnosis of encephalopathy associated with hyperammonemia.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1023/B:MEBR.0000007110.79274.37
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