Ammonia
Ammonia is recognized as one of the most crucial component in the pathology of hepatic encephalopathy. (Bosoi and Rose, 2009)
Chemistry of ammonia
ammonia is composed of nitrogen and hydrogen (NH3). When dissolved in solution, it dissociates into NH3 (gas) and NH 4 + (ion).
What is ammonia?
Ammonia is produced by various processes, including during the digestion of proteins and deamination. This byproduct is detoxified by the liver via the urea cycle.
HE patients, with a damaged liver, can not manage ammonia. Consequently, hyperammonemia grows (up to 1 mM in severe cases, normal values in adults: 14 to 38 mol/L).
This gaseous molecule is capable of crossing the blood-brain barrier, isolating and protecting the brain from the bloodstream and its toxins. Ammonia damages brain cells, particularly astrocytes.
Clinical overview
Oxidative stress