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Measurement of the expiratory ammonia concentration and its clinical significance.

Measurement of the expiratory ammonia concentration and its clinical significance.

Authors :
Wakabayashi, Hiroyuki
Kuwabara, Yoshihiro
Murata, Hiroyuki
Kobashi, Kyoich
Watanabe, Akiharu
Source :
Metabolic Brain Disease; Jun1997, Vol. 12 Issue 2, p161-169, 9p
Publication Year :
1997

Abstract

Alghough gaseous ammonia (NH<subscript>3</subscript>) can freely enter cells through the plasma membrane where NH<subscript>3</subscript> is cyto(neuro)toxic, NH<subscript>3</subscript> and ionic ammonia (NH<subscript>4</subscript> <superscript>+</superscript>) contents have not been studied in biological materials. We developed a new method for measurement of expiratory NH<subscript>3</subscript> concentration, which may reflect blood NH<subscript>3</subscript> concentrations. The method is a sensor tube type-gas assay system. Expiratory NH<subscript>3</subscript> concentrations in patients with chronic liver diseases increased when their blood ammonia (NH<subscript>4</subscript> <superscript>+</superscript>+NH<subscript>3</subscript>) concentrations increased above 90 μg/dl (normal range; 12–66 μg/dl). However, cirrhotic patients, who had relatively higher expiratory NH<subscript>3</subscript> concentration compared to blood NH<subscript>3</subscript> concentrations (calculated from Henderson-Hasselbalch formula), were found to have subclinical encephalopathy. Measurement of experatory NH<subscript>3</subscript> concentration may be of clinical significance for the diagnosis of encephalopathy associated with hyperammonemia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
08857490
Volume :
12
Issue :
2
Database :
Complementary Index
Journal :
Metabolic Brain Disease
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
49849003
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02674737